Advanced Common Sense

I’ve read your book on usability testing, Rocket Surgery Made Easy. So why should I take a workshop, too? Didn’t you explain everything in the book? (Or were you holding things back, just so you could squeeze more money out of us later?)

Two reasons:

There’s a lot more to say than I put in the book, but I deliberately wanted to keep it short so people wouldn’t get overwhelmed and never start testing. In the workshop, we go into various subjects in more depth, based mostly on attendees’ questions.

More importantly, the workshop gives you something the book can’t: hands-on practice. You’ll pair up with someone and takes turns doing tests on your own sites. By the end of the day, you’ll be ready to get going on your own.

I haven’t read Rocket Surgery. Do I need to read it before attending the workshop?

Yes. By making it “required reading,” we can cover more ground during the workshop and have more time for valuable hands-on practice. It’s a very short book, and you can probably read it in a little over two hours.

Who should attend this workshop?

Anyone involved in publishing a Web site.

Who should not attend this workshop?

Anyone who hated Don’t Make Me Think. Anyone who hates workshops. Anyone who finds it hard to sit still for more than 30 minutes. Anyone who isn’t involved somehow in creating, publishing, feeding, or paying for Web sites. Known criminals.

What time does the workshop start?

The workshop runs from 9 am to 5 pm, with time out for lunch, and brief morning and afternoon breaks.

What if I have to leave before 5 pm to catch a plane?

Most of the heavy lifting for the day is usually finished by 4 pm. So if logistics require that you leave a little early, you probably won’t feel shortchanged.

I’d like to attend, but I can’t make it to those cities. Will you be doing more workshops?

Yes, we try to do three cities each Spring and three each Fall, but we only decide on the cities and dates about four to six months in advance. If you want to be notified of upcoming workshops, your best bet is to subscribe to my blog.

My boss is paying for this. What will I learn?

How to conduct your own low-cost or no-cost user tests that provide invaluable design insights and produce better products with a minimum of effort.

What won’t I learn?

HTML. HTML5. XML. CPR. Flash. Javascript. Perl. Any leading edge or trendy technology. Origami.

What’s included?

• A “continental breakfast” (muffins, fruits, coffee, etc.). Doors open at 8:30 am.
• Morning and afternoon snacks.

What’s not included?

Lunch. We try to hold the workshop in an interesting part of town with plenty of restaurants, and a refreshing stroll seems like a better idea than standing in line for some overcooked chicken in warming trays.

Any other questions?

If you have other questions, please feel free to contact me.