SDM Plus · Research
Proof Before Redesign
Two tests, one question
Cause A Information Architecture · users do not understand or recognise the section names
Cause B User Interface · users do not notice or cannot navigate the sections even when the names are clear
Tree Testing
Tests the IA — no UI present
IA held up
7:52
median time
Structure was sound. Users understood the menu names and could navigate the hierarchy when the UI was removed from the equation. IA was not the primary failure.
Completion
86%
Success
85.7%
Directness
69.3%
URUT
Tests the UI — live interface
UI flagged
13:46
median time
With the UI present, time nearly doubled and directness collapsed. Users backtracked frequently and lost confidence mid-task. The interface was hiding a workable structure.
Completion
75%
Success
83.3%
Directness
45.2%
Fix the experience that was hiding the structure. Not rebuild everything.
Tree testing: 30 participants, 10 tasks. URUT: 20 participants, 10 tasks.