Chapter 13 Flashcards
(40 cards)
. Q: What is product use testing (a.k.a. field testing or market-acceptance testing)?
A: Testing a prototype under normal operating conditions with real end-users to gauge performance, satisfaction, and market fit.
- Q: What simultaneous manufacturing activity starts at that point?
A: Manufacturing ramp-up—planning full-scale production.
- Q: When does marketing’s launch work begin?
A: In the “I-think-we’ve-got-it” phase, as early prototypes start passing performance tests.
- Q: Name four arguments for product use testing.
A: Assess competitive reaction, understand complex customer needs, capture unspoken needs, ensure delivery of quality.
- Q: List the two key knowledge pieces use tests provide.
A: Pre-use sense reactions (first impressions) and early use experiences (“does it work?”).
- Q: Beta test—where and by whom?
A: At select customer sites to uncover bugs in real use.
A beta test is a late-stage trial in which a nearly finished product is given to a small group of external, real-world users so they can use it in their normal environment and report any bugs, usability issues, or improvement ideas before full market launch.
- Q: Alpha test—where and by whom?
A: In-house or controlled setting by internal staff.
- Q: Gamma test—definition?
A gamma test is the final, full-function trial in which the finished product is put through extended real-world use by end-users to be sure it completely solves their problem and meets all promised benefits before mass launch—no further changes are expected afterward.
- Q: What is case-based research in software development?
Case-based research in software development is a continuous, end-to-end product-use study in which real users are observed (and interviewed) through every stage of the project—from early concept all the way to the final release.
- Q: First question to ask when crafting a use test?
A: “What do we need to learn?”
- Q: Second major question?
A: “Who should be in the user group (trustworthy testers)?”
- Q: Three modes of contact with testers?
A: Mail/online, personal individual, group sessions.
- Q: Two location choices?
A: Point-of-use (home/office) vs. central location (test kitchen).
- Q: Levels of explanation given to testers (3)?
A: No comment, commercial description, full explanation.
- Q: Monadic test?
A: Respondent uses a single product over time.
- Q: Control settings—name the three.
A: Total control, supervised, unsupervised.
- Q: Paired comparison?
A: Test product alternates with one competitor.
- Q: Sequential monadic?
A: Same respondent tries two products one after another (A then B).
- Q: Triangular comparison?
A: Test product compared against two competitive products.
- Q: Why choose a monadic design?
A: Minimizes carry-over bias; focuses on absolute performance.
- Q: Over what period should a use test run?
A: Depends on product usage cycle—long enough to reveal real-life issues.
- Q: When use-testing one best single product?
A: When upstream concept or market analysis has already identified the optimal version.
- Q: Three sources for test product batches?
A: Lab batch, pilot plant, final production run.
- Q: When to test multiple variants?
A: To gauge preference for colors, sizes, speeds, etc.
