When testing how learnable a new project is we have to consider the learning curve. This is how much learning the user must endure to use the new product efficiently.
The Learning Curve
How many times does it take to try?
How many times will the user need to perform the task?
If it is only once, the visual attraction of the task is less important.
The longer the user needs to stay concentrated to learn, the more important it is.
How do they research learnability?
By testing users, they will attempt the old way and the new way. They will focus on efficiency, satisfaction and errors. The amount of time it took to understand will be measured. Timing helps to gauge efficiency.
What's interesting to me about this?
Efficiency and Learnability - a fine balance
Although something is learnable, it doesn’t make the process efficient.
How high is the productivity users reach with an interface once they use it?
Is it a one off daily, weekly, monthly, yearly task?
As users understand the interface, repeating tasks will feel like hand holding.
This triggered the introduction of accelerators, shortcuts etc.
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