Applying Usability Methods to a Large Intranet Site

Abstract

This paper describes the usability design process of a project web site within Sandia National Laboratories. Most web site designers can claim no more knowledge about their users than a focus group. This paper, however, describes the use of usability techniques such as structured interviews, card sorting, and usability testing to establish a usable information structure with which project personnel can be immediately productive. First tests of the information structure after card sorting produced correct performance on almost 80% of test trials. Innovative techniques to analyze card sort results and to perform usability testing should provide some useful tools to others interested in designing sites for usability.