Projects
Tekla Structure - UX evaluation
Fabrication drawings
Trimble's Tekla Structure software sought to introduce an innovative approach to automated drawings creation and library management. The challenge was to assess the usability of this new concept, identifying areas of improvement and ensuring that users could seamlessly 1) create documentation and 2) manage their libraries.
Team
Sibilla domiziana silbano,
Xinyuan Chen, Joonas Vuola
Role
Usability evaluator,
user testing facilitator
Time
Spring
2023
Duration
4
Months
My role in this project was to contribute to the comprehensive evaluation of the system's user experience by combining heuristic evaluation and user testing methodologies.
Approach
Our approach consisted of two main phases: a heuristic evaluation followed by a user testing phase.
Heuristic Evaluation
We analyzed the Tekla Structure software using Nielsen's ten usability heuristics. Individually, we meticulously examined the system, noting down any deviations from the established usability principles. By consolidating our findings through collaboration, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the system's strengths and weaknesses.
User Testing
To validate our heuristic evaluation and gain insights from real users, we conducted usability tests. The user testing phase included a pre-test, an online usability test with experienced Trimble users, a post-test questionnaire, and short semi-structured interviews. This multifaceted approach allowed us to evaluate the system's practical performance in real-world scenarios and its adherence to usability criteria.
Findings
By combining heuristic evaluation and user testing, we gathered a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data, which was crucial in identifying key areas of concern and success within the Tekla Structure software.
Identified Problems
Lack of Appropriate Feedback and Error Prevention
Users struggled with understanding their actions' consequences due to insufficient feedback mechanisms, leading to errors and frustration.
Lack of Intuitive Elements and Flows
Several aspects of the software lacked intuitive design, causing confusion and inefficiencies in user workflows.
Overall suggestion
Conclusion
Our comprehensive evaluation of Trimble's Tekla Structure software encompassed heuristic evaluation and user testing. This approach enabled us to uncover actionable insights that shaped our recommendations for improving the software's usability and overall user experience.
By addressing the identified problems and implementing the suggested solutions, we believe that Tekla Structure can enhance its users' ability to create documentation and manage libraries efficiently, ultimately leading to a more user-friendly and effective software solution.