5 Steps To Improve Usable Software For Enterprises
Usability testing for Enterprise Software- The barnacle of opportunity
While it might be difficult when you want to build enterprise software, it is going to be further drilling when you want to fix the usability issues with the software. When you take a glance at a few disastrous enterprise software fails that shook the industry, it could even cause dizziness to the most popular usability mavericks. A few instances like HP’s centralization of the ERP system costing it over $160 million in lost revenues and backlogs are a warning.
Why does Enterprise Software fail?
“We tend to be distracted by the voices in our own heads telling us what the design should look like.” — Michael Bierut, Partner at Pentagram Design
Enterprise Software failures are due to difficulties faced by your design and development team. The complexity of the software along with the security issues are often stated as the biggest cause of failure for the development teams when they wish to create more intuitive systems. Your ERP suites would be capable of creating an infinite number of scenarios for the users. Security concerns are going to play a major role during information access. Your users are going to feel underestimated. Usability is going to have a number of roadblocks.
Some of the reasons why enterprise software fails could be the lack of experimentation by the user before buying since it is the C-level executive who would be purchasing the software. They are cashing on the costs and not on the concerns of the user. Other reasons could be customization issues, lack of UX culture, forgetting the needs of the user and not adhering to the complicated processes.
How to go about creating usable software for your enterprises?
When you want to create more user-friendly software for your business, you need to look at the chances where enterprises can put the user in the middle of the design or development process. You can follow these few tips to make it more accessible:
Be flexible and transparent about the changes
You do not need to stay extremely committed when you want to build usable enterprise software. You might need to make 90% changes in your company culture. Be prepared for that!
Build a user-focused team
Once you are able to achieve transparency, you would get the aid of a dedicated in-house team in terms of user experience and usability. Your team might consist of someone who might already have experience working on usability testing and user research. Engage their skillset for better results.
Involve the user in the design process
You have just one way when you want to create 100% usable software. Wondering what? You have to get your user in the picture. You should involve more users in the design process. Ultimately, all your efforts are going to benefit your user. Hence you can involve them in the process. There are various methods such as MVP prototyping, contextual investigation, remote usability testing along with workshops. This is going to help you create a more engaging user experience.
Start your design thinking process
Design thinking has got global enterprises across the world such as Deloitte and IBM on the groove. You can use Static wireframes when you want to test navigation and involve intuitive information architecture. Your high fidelity prototypes are going to let your user work on different prototypes when they are not going to involve the information and data of the particular software.
Let’s come to a conclusion
“If you want a great site, you’ve got to test. After you’ve worked on a site for even a few weeks, you can’t see it freshly anymore. You know too much. The only way to find out if it really works is to test it”- Steve Krug
When you want to build a powerful website, you need to involve the best strategies. When it’s all done and dusted, you should never fail to test it. Usability Testing plays a crucial part in your successful product development strategy.
Willing to ensure that usability testing is done properly for the Enterprise Software for your business? We, the folks at Pattem Digital, are here to guide you through the process from documentation to maintenance. Let’s connect and chat further!
