Client: Roche

Problem

In the new research centre, all substances and materials used by scientists should be sharable and traceable. This requires a system for scientists to search for and scan substances and materials anytime in their everyday workflow.

Key Questions

What device type is most useful for scientist to store their substances and materials? How do the use of a Kiosk, a Handheld Scanner, or a personal Smartphone compare in terms of usability and practicality for the purpose of tracking, tracing and sharing substances and materials among scientists? What device type do they prefer and why? Are there any differences in pain points for different type of scientists e.g., biologists vs. chemists?

Approach

10 scientist were recruited for an onsite testing session

All were given the task to store a substance or material using 3 different device types

Interactions were observed and recorded

At the end, retrospective questions were asked to clarify observed behaviours

Discussion Guide

(example questions)

For the moderator

  • [completion] Did the participant manage to complete task 1? yes/no

  • [time] Did the participant manage to complete task 1 in a reasonable time? yes/no

  • [completion] Did the participant manage to complete task 2? yes/no

  • [time] Did the participant manage to complete task 2 in a reasonable time? yes/no

  • [ease of task] Did the participant show any sign of confusion at any point in time? If yes, please describe when and why you think they were confused.

  • [barriers] Did the participant experience any challenges at any point in time? If yes, please describe when and why you think they experienced a challenge.

For the participant, after each device

  • [feeling] How do you feel about using this device? Please explain

  • [ease of task] How easy or difficult was it to complete these tasks using this device? Why was this easy or difficult?

  • [barriers] What challenges could this device  solve? 

  • [concerns] What concerns do you have regarding using this device, if any?

For the participant, at the end

  • [preference] Which device do you prefer to locate substances/materials? Why?

  • [preference] Can you describe a use case where you may need one of the other devices than the one you prefer? 

  • [Frequency] How many bottles do you usually need to scan? What is their size?

Findings

(Insights presented in a UX Report)

Challenges

The main challenge of this case was the hybrid approach of onsite vs online research setup. We had team members onsite to do parts of the moderation and set up the lab accordingly while the UX team (researcher and designer) where attending remotely. A good preparation, dry run and collaboration was required.