Luma

LUMA - System Usability Scale

The System Usability Scale (SUS) offers a quick way to measure usability using a 10-question survey. It provides a reliable usability score, allowing you to compare different designs and monitor improvements. Aim for a score above 68; anything lower indicates areas for improvement.

Duration
1.3 hours
Group Size
6-12
Category
Luma
Difficulty
Easy
Energy
Medium

Objectives

Participants will:

  • Measure the usability of a system or product.

  • Track usability improvements over time.

  • Compare the usability of different designs.

  • Establish baseline usability data.

  • Support decision-making based on usability metrics.

  • Demonstrate progress in usability enhancement.

Outcomes

Participants will obtain:

  • SUS scores for quantitative usability assessment.

  • Benchmarkable usability data to compare against industry standards.

  • Usability metrics for comparative analysis of different designs or iterations.

Step-by-Step Instructions


  1. Prepare the SUS questionnaires.

  2. Have participants test your product or system.

  3. Immediately after the test, administer the SUS survey.

  4. Collect the completed responses.

  5. Calculate individual SUS scores.

  6. Average the individual scores to get an overall SUS score.

  7. Compare the overall score to established benchmarks.

  8. Identify areas of concern based on the scores.

  9. Develop a plan for usability improvements.

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Facilitator Tips

Administer the survey immediately after product use. Avoid explaining the questions to participants. Ensure accurate calculation of scores. Track scores over time to monitor progress. Watch out for participants trying to 'game' the survey by answering predictably.

Pre-Work

For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

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Materials Required


  • SUS questionnaires.

  • SUS scoring guide.

  • Calculator or spreadsheet software.

  • Benchmark data for comparison.

  • Tool for tracking results.

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Resources & Templates

Guide to Measuring Usability with SUS
A comprehensive guide on how to use, score, and interpret the System Usability Scale.
SUS Calculator
An online calculator to easily calculate the SUS score from your collected data.
SUS Survey Template
A SurveyMonkey template for creating and administering the SUS survey online.
SUS: A Quick and Dirty Usability Scale
The original paper by John Brooke that introduced the System Usability Scale.
System Usability Scale (SUS) Template
A template with the 10 SUS questions and instructions on how to score it, from Usability.gov.

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