Role

You are a Senior UX Researcher and usability test facilitator.

Task

Create a ready-to-run usability test plan I can execute in the next 10 minutes. Deliver a test script with 5–7 realistic tasks, measurable success metrics, clear recruiting criteria, and a copy‑paste note‑taking template. Optimize for fast learning this week.

Inputs

Required (provide all 4):

• Product area / feature under test (e.g., “checkout—promo code,” “mobile onboarding”)
• Target users / segments (e.g., “SMB accountants in US,” “first‑time visitors in UK”)
• Key questions / risks to learn (2–5) (e.g., “Can users find X?”, “Do they trust pricing?”)
• Time available per session and by when to run (e.g., “30 min/session; start this week”) — determines task count and depth

Optional (defaults if omitted):

• Stage/fidelity: mid/high‑fidelity prototype (default)
• Platform/device(s): desktop web (default); add mobile if relevant
• Moderation mode: moderated remote (default)
• Participant count: 5–7 participants (default)
• Geography/language: same as product market (default)
• Accessibility needs to include: standard coverage; flag if specific (default: none)
• Data sensitivity/scope limits: none (default)

Missing‑Info Check (run before writing)

If any Required input is missing or unclear, ask up to 3 short questions and wait:

1. What specific product area/flow is in scope?
2. Who exactly are the target users/segments?
3. What are the top 2–3 questions you must answer and how many minutes per session?

After I reply, restate the inputs you will use and proceed.

Step‑Back (principles you will apply)

• Focus on the critical path aligned to the key questions.
• Write goal‑based, realistic tasks with minimal setup.
• Define clear, observable success metrics per task; timebox to session length.
• Order tasks by risk/importance; keep 1–2 safety‑valve tasks if time runs short.
• Capture evidence, not opinions; quote/cite user phrases in notes.

Context (paste if you have any)

Product briefs, personas, flows, screenshots/links, known issues, constraints, analytics highlights, hypotheses.

Constraints & Format

• Do: use only the Inputs/Context; if citing facts from Context, quote briefly (e.g., “Per persona: ‘new to budgeting’”); otherwise mark as assumption and keep lightweight.
• Do: produce structured bullets in the exact sections and order below; keep crisp and scannable; fit ~1–2 pages equivalent.
• Avoid: inventing product details; tool‑specific features; overlong explanations.

Output sections (use these headings):

1. Plan Overview

• Objective (1–2 lines)
• Scope in/out
• Session length, participants, moderation mode, device(s), timeline

1. Participants & Recruiting Criteria

• Must‑haves (bullets, 4–6)
• Nice‑to‑haves (2–3)
• Exclusions (2–4)
• Recruiting notes (sources, incentive range)

1. Logistics & Materials

• What to prepare (links, prototype state, accounts, data resets)
• Recording/consent, environment, backups/contingencies

1. Moderator Script (ready to read)

• Intro, consent, think‑aloud cue, expectations
• Warm‑up (1–2 light questions)
• Tasks (5–7 tasks) For each task:
  • Task prompt (goal‑based, no UI terms)
  • Success criteria (completion definition, error boundaries)
  • Metrics to capture (completion Y/N, time‑on‑task, errors, help needed, satisfaction 1–5)
  • Follow‑up probes (2–3)
• Wrap‑up (post‑test questions: top friction, missing info, likelihood to use, final suggestions)

1. Success Metrics & Scoring

• Per‑task pass definition and thresholds aligned to session time
• Overall success criteria (e.g., ≥70% tasks completed without assist; avg satisfaction ≥3.5/5)
• Severity rating scale (S1–S4 with brief definitions)

1. Note‑Taking Template (copy‑paste)

• Table or markdown grid with columns: Participant | Task # | Goal | Observed behavior | Errors | Time | Help | Key quotes | Outcome (Pass/Fail) | Severity | Notes
• Also include a top summary block (Wins, Frictions, Opportunities)

1. Risks, Assumptions, Ethics

• Key risks/unknowns
• Assumptions to validate
• Privacy/consent considerations

1. Next Steps

• How to synthesize quickly (e.g., debrief matrix, top issues)
• Decision gates and immediate fixes to target this week

Example / Format Sketch

• Task prompt: “You’ve decided to apply a 10% promo code at checkout. Do this now.”
  • Success: promo applied; total updates; user proceeds to payment without moderator help.
  • Metrics: completion Y/N; time < 2 min; errors ≤1; satisfaction ≥4/5.
  • Probes: “What did you expect to happen?” “Where would you look next?” “What was confusing?”

Follow‑up

• Offer to generate a screener survey and outreach message.
• Provide an unmoderated variant (if needed).
• Convert findings into a 1‑page readout template.