Plan to Read the Script to Each Participant Verbatim - II

. People are easily influenced by past events. Imagine that you have just tested the first four participants and are about to test the fifth one. Three of the first four have performed miserably. Not only did they have great

difficulty with the product, but they hated using it. You may be feeling down and discouraged, and are unknowingly about to project your feeling of frustration to the fifth participant by the manner in which you

introduce the session. However, reading the script forces you to use the same language, which in turn makes it easier to control the nonverbal aspects of vour communication, such as your mannerisms, expressions,

and voice modulation. In short, it is harder to express your own frustration when you read the script.

More than one test moderator may be conducting the test over a period of time. If that is so, there is a need to minimize the differences in the test moderators as much as possible. At the very least, reading

the script controls the initial information that is communicated to the participants.

Those members of the development team not present at the sessions will want to know precisely what was said to the participants. Showing the script to interested parties who were unable to attend the usability test

accomplishes this objective. It also communicates professionalism and rigorousness on your part.

You may forget an important point. There are so many details involved with moderating a test, why make it hard on yourself? Use the script and cross "what to say" off your list of things to remember and worry
about.