How to test large groups of employees

Usability is #1

There have been many reports on usability. Especially software usability is tricky because you have possible technical difficulties and individual logical perceptions. Choosing a system and content logic is key. Testing larger groups of people with a faulty system or logic will result in support chaos.

Surprisingly the number 1 support issue is login! It’s mostly on the users side as all modern systems give you the option to retrieve your login. The user could for example try to retrieve a non-existing email address. Also many non computer proficient users could have problems with the logic in retrieving login information. 

To lower the entry barrier for all users Easypiecylink® has chosen to simplify the login process by validating the users on their mobile number. Most users have many logins to multiple systems to keep track of, so using a third party system should be straightforward and easy. Also by using the web browser there is no download or installation – but simply a link no matter if the user is on a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

The certification process itself also has to be logical and straightforward. If the user is in doubt about where to click and when – then the system is faulty. It’s important that the layout is responsive and careful thoughts has gone into how the layout will be functional on mobile and bigger screens. For example: Is the Yes and No answer buttons by the user’s thumb on the mobile? Essential questions to create a smooth user experience.

To summarize: the more users need to be certified online, the more important is simplicity and logic.

Fraud prevention

There’s no failsafe solution for users who want to omit the rules (cheat). That said there’s an array of precautions that can be done.

First off, validating the users on their mobile number will require the actual user to be involved. Other forms of validation might be more “secure”, but no matter what is done then any system can be omitted. 

Most users that gravitate towards cheating will only do so if it’s easy. Just by making it hard it loses its appeal. So if the certification process is always the same, cracking the “code” will be a cakewalk. Imagine 10.000 users getting the same certification – some users WILL try to make a cheat sheet.