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Learn how to craft clear test objectives and integrate them into your test plan. |
On this page:
- About objectives
- Characteristics of effective study objectives
- How to craft a detailed objective
- Turning objectives into a focused test plan
About objectives
- User experience (UX) research often uses terms like "goals," "research questions," and "study objectives."
- For our purposes, we’ll use the term “objective” to refer to any idea or question you want to explore in depth by collecting feedback.
Purpose of objectives
- Objectives should guide every task you assign and every question you ask during your research.
- They should focus on specific features or processes related to your product, ensuring a clear and targeted approach.
Characteristics of effective study objectives
Be specific
- Identify a particular feature or process to focus on.
- Mention specific elements or aspects within those features or processes.
Align with KPIs
- Clients often link objectives to key performance indicators (KPIs) like conversion rates.
Use the SMART framework
- Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
- Measurable: Ensure progress can be tracked.
- Attainable: Set realistic goals.
- Relevant: Align objectives with your product or business goals.
- Time-Specific: Set a clear timeline for achieving the objectives.
Guide your study design
- Well-defined objectives help you determine the tasks and questions to include in your test.
- They provide clarity on the type of feedback and insights to deliver to your team.
How to craft a detailed objective
Talk to your team
- Collaborate with stakeholders to align on business goals and priorities.
- Identify the features or processes to test based on these goals.
- Use available analytics to pinpoint areas of concern.
- Consider a demonstration or walk-through of the feature to uncover additional details or concerns.
Prioritize objectives
- If stakeholders provide too many objectives, ask them to prioritize their needs to focus on the most critical areas.
Turning objectives into a focused test plan
Break down objectives
- Convert each objective into 2–4 tasks and/or questions.
- This approach keeps the test plan focused and manageable.
Write clear instructions
- Ensure tasks and questions are straightforward for contributors to follow.
Flexibility in task order
- The diagram doesn’t prescribe a specific order for tasks and questions.
- Tasks and questions can address multiple objectives.
Conduct a pilot test
- If tasks are multipurpose, run a pilot to review results.
- Verify that user feedback effectively addresses all objectives.
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