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How to know if an idea is worth pursuing? Companies need tried-and-true ways to discover the next big idea that will disrupt their industry. We've created this Idea Testing template that includes tools such as: Smokescreen Wizard of Oz, multivariate test, phased rollout, longitudinal studies, and many more that can be downloaded and customized to different business scenarios. Let's review how these tools work, and how each one can provide a framework for brainstorming and testing new ideas.

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Yes, Raising Cane's, a popular fast-food chain known for its chicken fingers, does sell its signature Cane's sauce. The sauce is a secret blend of spices and is a favorite among many customers. It can be purchased separately in some locations.

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Dogfooding

Before the iPhone keyboard design became something billions of people use every day, Apple employees first tested the waters. They used it in their daily lives as if they were real life users.

Dogfooding is a way to test ideas with internal team members. Get honest feedback quickly from your own employees first, so you know if you're on the right track. This word cloud represents employees' responses to an idea or prototype. Compile these adjectives to see what people are saying at a glance. The bigger the word, the more common the sentiment. (Slide 18)

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Microsoft is a notable example of a company that uses dogfooding. They often use their own software products internally for testing before releasing them to the public. This allows them to identify and fix any issues or bugs, ensuring the product is as reliable and efficient as possible when it reaches the market.

Some alternative methods to 'Dogfooding' for idea testing in business scenarios include customer interviews, surveys, focus groups, A/B testing, and using a minimum viable product (MVP). These methods can provide valuable insights into customer needs and preferences, and can help businesses refine their ideas and products before launching them on a larger scale.

Google uses the concept of "Dogfooding" by testing their new ideas and products internally with their own employees first. This allows them to get honest and quick feedback, helping them understand if they're on the right track with their new idea or product. This method also helps them identify any potential issues or improvements that can be made before the product is released to the public.

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Wizard of Oz

How can you gauge user opinion on a new product, without spending resources to build the whole thing? With the Wizard of Oz tool, create a mockup of how a product or feature would function, BUT without any real technical input. Think of it as a facade.

On the left here is the mock-up; on the right are the findings. For example, see what potential customers think of chatbot responses, without actually programming the bot. In this case, a team member would respond to customer inquiries manually, pretending to be the bot. (Slide 11)

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Multivariate test

Sometimes it pays to test multiple solutions at once. Use the Multivariate Test tool to neatly structure the performance of different product iterations. Before starting the experiment, make sure to identify what metrics you want to measure. These are the numbers that will determine which idea is the winner. (Slide 7)

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Some potential challenges when identifying metrics to measure in a Multivariate Test include: determining which metrics are most relevant to the business goals, ensuring that the metrics are measurable and reliable, avoiding bias in the selection and interpretation of metrics, and dealing with the complexity of analyzing multiple variables at once.

Some alternative strategies for testing new product iterations could include A/B testing, user testing, surveys, and feedback sessions. A/B testing involves comparing two versions of a product to see which one performs better. User testing involves observing users as they interact with your product to identify any issues or areas for improvement. Surveys and feedback sessions can provide valuable insights into what users like and dislike about your product.

Global companies like Apple and Google can utilize the Multivariate Test tool to test multiple solutions at once by structuring the performance of different product iterations. Before starting the experiment, they should identify the metrics they want to measure. These numbers will determine which idea is the winner.

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First, list the control of the experiment. This is the current version that customers have been seeing. Then, list the variations you're testing. In most cases, it'd help to add a picture of what the variation looks like. At the end of the experiment, calculate if the solution actually increased the performance. Note the improvement, or the lack of, in the boxes on the right. Then, simply pick a winner to proceed.

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I'm sorry, but I can't provide a real-world case study as it's not mentioned in the content and it's beyond my current knowledge base.

Some alternative strategies to this idea testing method used in the business world include focus groups, surveys, market research, prototyping, and pilot testing. Focus groups involve gathering a group of people who represent your target market and getting their feedback on your idea. Surveys can be distributed to a larger audience and can provide quantitative data. Market research involves studying the market and your competitors to understand if there is a demand for your idea. Prototyping involves creating a preliminary version of your product or service and testing it. Pilot testing involves launching your idea on a small scale before a full-scale launch.

Global companies like Apple and Google can apply this idea testing method to their product development process by first identifying the current version of the product that customers are familiar with. They can then create variations of the product for testing. These variations can be visualized for better understanding. After the testing phase, they can analyze the performance of each variation and note any improvements or lack thereof. The variation that performs the best can then be selected for further development or implementation.

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Phased rollouts

Imagine this: you're about to launch a new product feature. You give every user access, all at once. What if something goes wrong? In most cases, it's not a question of "if" but "when". Unfortunately, something will probably go wrong. Worst case scenario? You release a bad, unreliable product to every one of your customers. They flee to your competitors.

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One historical example is the release of the Ford Pinto by the Ford Motor Company in the 1970s. The car had a design flaw that made it prone to catching fire in rear-end collisions. This led to numerous lawsuits and a damaged reputation for the company. Another example is the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, released in 2016. The phone had a tendency to overheat and catch fire, leading to a worldwide recall and a significant financial loss for Samsung. These examples show that releasing unreliable products can lead to financial losses, damaged reputations, and loss of customer trust.

One alternative strategy to launching a new product feature all at once is to do a phased rollout. This means releasing the feature to a small group of users first, gathering feedback, making necessary adjustments, and then gradually releasing it to more users. Another strategy is to do a beta launch where the feature is released to a select group of users who are aware that the feature is in its testing phase and are willing to provide feedback. A third strategy is to do a soft launch where the feature is released quietly without any major announcement. This allows for testing and tweaking before a full-scale launch.

Global companies like Apple and Google can effectively test new ideas before launching them by using a variety of strategies. First, they can conduct market research to understand the needs and preferences of their target audience. Second, they can create prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs) to test the functionality and feasibility of their ideas. Third, they can use A/B testing to compare different versions of their ideas and see which one performs better. Fourth, they can use focus groups or user testing to get direct feedback from potential users. Lastly, they can analyze data and metrics to measure the success of their tests and make necessary adjustments.

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Companies will often test a new launch via a Phased Rollout. Just dip your toe in, and feel for any unforeseen mistakes or bugs. Break down the rollout into phases and what percentage of the users will receive the new release at what phase. If all goes well, then proceed to the next phase. Otherwise, fix any hiccups before rolling out to more users. In this example, the rollout is in phase six, with 50% of the user base already receiving it. At the button, highlight success metrics such as adoption rate and crash-free sessions. (Slide 9)

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A real-world example of a successful Phased Rollout is the launch of Gmail by Google. Initially, Gmail was released to a limited number of users in 2004. Google used this phase to gather feedback and make necessary improvements. The service was then gradually rolled out to more users over the next few years, before becoming available to the general public in 2007. The key success metrics used included user feedback, adoption rate, and the number of bug reports or issues.

Some alternative strategies to a Phased Rollout when launching a new product or service include a Big Bang Adoption, where the new product or service is launched to all users at once, or a Parallel Adoption, where the new product or service is launched alongside the old one, allowing users to switch between the two until they are comfortable with the new one. Another strategy is a Pilot or Trial Launch, where the new product or service is launched to a small, select group of users for feedback and testing before a full launch.

Companies like Google or Apple typically implement a Phased Rollout for their new products or services by initially testing the launch with a small percentage of their user base. This allows them to identify and fix any unforeseen mistakes or bugs before rolling out to more users. The rollout is broken down into phases, with each phase involving a larger percentage of the user base. If all goes well in a phase, they proceed to the next one. Otherwise, they fix any issues before moving on. They also monitor success metrics such as adoption rate and crash-free sessions.

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Usability tests

One of the most commonly used methods in digital product development is the Usability Test tool, which assesses how different subjects perform given tasks. Use this tool to see how intuitive your products are. You may design a customer journey for your new app. How smooth do people find each step of the experience?

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The environmental impacts of relying heavily on digital product development and usability testing can be both positive and negative. On the positive side, digital product development reduces the need for physical prototypes, which can save material resources and reduce waste. Additionally, usability testing can help to create more efficient and effective products, which can lead to less energy consumption in the long run. On the negative side, the digital infrastructure required for this type of work can consume a significant amount of energy, particularly in data centers. Furthermore, the rapid pace of digital innovation can lead to a high turnover rate of electronic devices, contributing to electronic waste.

Some alternative methods to the Usability Test tool that Tesla might use in its digital product development could include A/B testing, where two versions of a product are compared to see which performs better. They could also use surveys or interviews to gather user feedback, or use analytics tools to track user behavior and identify areas for improvement. Prototyping is another method, where a simplified version of the product is created to test its functionality and design. Finally, they could use heuristic evaluations, where a set of usability principles are used to identify potential issues.

The specific details of how Google uses the Usability Test tool in its digital product development process are not provided in the content. However, generally, companies like Google use the Usability Test tool to assess how different subjects perform given tasks. This tool helps them understand how intuitive their products are. For example, they may design a customer journey for a new app and use the tool to evaluate how smooth users find each step of the experience.

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Subjects are scored from one to three on a list of tasks they're given. Use these results to get a total usability score for each subject. If you're a social media company, examples might be uploading an image, or sharing a post with a friend. Usually, usability tests are most effective with five subjects. After that, there tend to be diminishing returns. (Slide 21)

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Relying heavily on usability scores in the decision-making process can have several implications. On the positive side, these scores can provide valuable insights into how users interact with a product or service, highlighting areas for improvement. However, there can also be negative implications. For instance, usability scores may not capture the full user experience or account for individual user preferences. They may also lead to an overemphasis on certain aspects of a product at the expense of others. Furthermore, if usability testing is not conducted properly, the results may not be reliable or representative, leading to misguided decisions.

Some alternative methods to usability testing for evaluating new ideas include A/B testing, surveys, focus groups, interviews, and heuristic evaluations. A/B testing involves comparing two versions of a product or feature to see which one performs better. Surveys and interviews can provide direct feedback from users about their preferences and experiences. Focus groups allow for in-depth discussions and observations of user interactions. Heuristic evaluations involve experts who use established usability principles to identify potential issues.

Global companies like Apple or Google can apply the concept of usability testing in their product development process by incorporating it as a key part of their product design and development stages. They can start by identifying key tasks that users will perform with their product. These tasks can then be tested with a small group of users to identify any usability issues. The feedback from these tests can then be used to refine and improve the product. This process can be repeated multiple times until the product meets the desired usability standards. It's important to note that usability testing should be an ongoing process, even after the product is launched, to continuously improve the user experience.

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System usability scale (SUS)

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Similarly, the System Usability Scale, or SUS, obtains individual responses to survey questions. It then uses these responses to calculate a total usability score for each question. (Slides 22-23)

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Where the previous tool tracked the performance of tasks, this one documents user sentiment about overall usability. If the last tool revealed how easily subjects performed tasks, this tool will tell you how they feel about those tasks.

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The future trends in the field of idea testing using tools like the System Usability Scale (SUS) could include the integration of AI and machine learning for more accurate and personalized usability scores. There might be an increased focus on real-time feedback and dynamic adjustments based on user interactions. Additionally, the SUS and similar tools could evolve to better accommodate the testing of emerging technologies such as VR and AR interfaces. The importance of user sentiment in idea testing is likely to grow, leading to more sophisticated sentiment analysis tools and techniques.

The logistical differences between implementing the System Usability Scale (SUS) in virtual versus in-person scenarios primarily revolve around the mode of interaction and data collection. In a virtual scenario, the SUS can be implemented through online surveys or digital platforms, allowing for remote and asynchronous participation. This can lead to a larger and more diverse sample size, but may also introduce challenges in ensuring participant understanding and engagement. In contrast, in-person scenarios allow for immediate clarification of doubts and observation of participant reactions, but may be limited by geographical constraints and scheduling issues. Regardless of the scenario, the key is to ensure that the SUS is administered in a consistent manner to maintain the reliability and validity of the results.

The pacing and timing of the System Usability Scale (SUS) survey can significantly affect user engagement. If the survey is too long, users may lose interest and not complete it, which can skew the results. On the other hand, if the survey is too short, it may not gather enough information to be useful. Therefore, it's important to strike a balance - the survey should be long enough to gather meaningful data, but not so long that it discourages participation. Additionally, the timing of when the survey is administered can also impact engagement. For instance, if a user is asked to complete the survey immediately after using a product or service, their responses may be more accurate and reflective of their true feelings.

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Longitudinal studies

The Longitudinal Study tool is used for qualitative observation of customer behavior or sentiment. Where other tools in this presentation are best for making sense of metrics like number of click-throughs, this tool is used to add context to such data. In other words, adding the "why".

Also known as a diary study, longitudinal studies are great for tracking the intention and meaning of user behavior in their natural environments across time. Because these tests usually take longer to plan and execute, it's helpful to have a timeline that everyone can follow - all the way from initial planning, to the actual logging process, and through the post-study interview. (Slide 19)

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