Frequently Asked Questions - copy

IncluCity Calgary provides opportunities for diverse and often under-represented residents to weigh in on the products, processes and services that impact them.

IncluCity Calgary reconsiders the design process with the notion that if it doesn’t work for someone, it doesn’t work for everyone.

You can read about our services in the information packet provided on our website (www.inclucitycalgary.ca)

Usability testing is a research method that helps uncover problems and opportunities in a product. You’ll be on a video call or in a room with a test facilitator, who will ask you to complete tasks with a product (app, webpage, or form) while observing your behaviour and recording any feedback.

The client organization will then use all the data and findings from the testing sessions to consider and implement changes to help improve the product.

Everyone! We’d like to hear from everyone and make sure that we can reach underrepresented voices who have historically not been involved in this process before.

The registration form will have questions asking about your age, ethnicity, education and more to help us ensure that we are being representative in each of these categories.

The set of questions are subject to different conditions and privacy policies (linked in this email) than the previous forms you’ve completed, and we want to ensure we have the most up-to-date information for each tester.

This is all to ensure we continue to have a representative group of testers. Thanks for understanding!

Typically we advocate for testers to be paid around $50 per hour, since testing sessions usually last one hour. Prices vary depending on the client organization’s needs and the duration of your session.

If you sign up to be a tester, we will let you know the rate of testing prior to each test, so you have the freedom to decide whether or not you want to take part.

We work with socially-geared tech teams and companies that are trying to make the world a better place, starting from Calgary. Our typical client is usually trying to solve a complex issue like social, digital, or structural inequities or has a well-defined social impact mission.

Thankfully, there's no prior knowledge required to participate in usability testing. This isn't your typical school test; we want to test the product, not your performance. You can put the books down, as there's no reason to study for this test. Ideally testers should not have any previous experience with the product we are testing to ensure that we capture an authentic initial experience and avoid bias.

All you need for the test is a laptop or desktop computer with a working webcam and microphone so we can see and hear you on the video call, preferably in a quiet room. We can provide assistance to help you book your testing session. If we can't find a solution to your tech concern, we will keep you updated for future in-person tests. The test facilitator will walk you through the testing process when you join the Google Meet video call for virtual testing sessions.

Set up your desktop computer or laptop in a quiet room with reduced background noise. Make sure you have a working microphone and webcam.
Find the Google Invitation in your email or in your calendar. Click on the Google Meeting link.
Join the call a few minutes early if you want to ensure everything works well. Do one last bathroom check and technology check to ensure the testing session will not be disrupted.
The test facilitator will introduce themselves, walk you through the testing process, and help answer any questions you might have when you join the Google Meet video call.

If you have any questions or need help setting up or using Google Meet, feel free to contact Uriel Karerwa (uriel@inclucitycalgary.ca) to help you get set up.

If you’re doing a virtual test, you should expect two to three other people on the video call: the facilitator will run the test, the notetaker will take notes, and the third person could be a representative from the client organization or from the IncluCity Calgary team. Apart from you (the tester) and the facilitator, everyone else will have their cameras and microphones turned off.
The notetaker will be writing down any notable comments or feedback you give in the background, but neither the notetaker nor the observing representative will intervene in your session.
The facilitator will help you get acquainted with the tech product, ask you to complete a task, and get your feedback while you're completing a task.
If a task is notably frustrating to complete, do not panic, as this means we have identified a usability flaw; consider this a good thing in usability testing!
After the call, we will compile the feedback from all testers into a final assessment (void of any personal information) which will be forwarded to the client organization to make the appropriate changes.
Sometime after the test, you'll be sent an e-transfer to the email address you provided.
You'll be able to give us feedback on your experience being a tester and tell us how we can make the experience more pleasant by completing the feedback form, which you will receive after the session.

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Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge living on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley First Nations), the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.