KEMET
MAX User Test:
SMPS - Capacitors & Inductors & CAP Finder Tool
TIMELINE
4 weeks
TOOLS USED
Adobe InDesign
Summary
MAX introduces a new approach to component selection, where application parameters and conditions take center stage in driving product recommendations. The objective is to allow application requirements to dictate the technology, eliminating biases toward specific types.
Throughout the development process, we concentrated on optimizing the tool's structure, refining user interaction points, and enhancing the presentation of results for a seamless experience.
MAX Test
Some important factors that define MAX usability
Ease of use
Effectiveness
Being results-oriented
Ease of implementation into daily routine
Conducted extensive user testing to assist KEMET Corporation (KEMET) in evaluating the usability of the new MAX Toolset and identifying opportunities for improvement and enhancement.
Testing Method
Tested 20 users to understand the usability and functionality of MAX tools
Each test contained 5-10 tasks to complete
Each task was rated whether the user was successful or not
Tested how easy or hard the task appeared to be
Tests were approximately 30 - 45 minutes long
Recorded thorough videos and notes
This research report outlines the methodology used, the findings uncovered, and a concise list of recommended changes to enhance the usability of KEMET's MAX + Design Tools.
My Role
Initially educating myself with the tools I needed to find users to test. In this case I was lucky to have a list of people provided from some of our engineers and our CEO. I emailed users directly or found them through LinkedIn. Our company was offering a $25 Amazon gift card to participate in the experiment to create an incentive to participate. Even with a provided users it took some coercing in order to participate. Once I had a selection of 20 users I set up Calendly to let them choose a time they could find available through my calendar in order to schedule.I had a list of questions I wanted answered to yield results and was able to maneuver users through the test within 30-40mins. I recorded results through zoom and had notes provided from each question. It was clear to see commonalities with results with occasional outliers.
The Tool
With help from an engineer I was provided numbers to input and provide to the users testing the tool since it was in the beginning phase some results wouldn’t provide adequate data. I had to get use to how each tool functioned and made sure I was comfortable with the tool so I could guide the user without any biases.
Max Tool Goals
Test product concept
with target audience
Targeting electrical engineers; the list ranged from students to master students to senior electrical engineers. MAX Tools is allowing engineers to enter parameters to find better product solutions for their designs.
Points of friction and confusing experiences
Pointing out the confusing experiences is a crucial element for future development and overall success. If the tools do not make users’ lives easier, it would not be considered a success for KEMET.
Identify bugs and issues with the product
Certain MAX Tools issues were identified during testing. Understanding these possible issues in advance will help the product team come up with the best solutions and take necessary actions before it is too late. It also gives the KEMET team a better idea how the new service is being perceived by its beta users.
Introduction
The user was given broad tasks along with a scenario for each tool and told to speak comments out loud to capture their thoughts and experience. The users were not tested on their performance, but only on their opinions and answers to the questions being asked.
SMPS - Capacitors & Inductors
Pre Scenario
Questions
•What is your initial response to this tool?
• What do you think you would use this tool for?
SMPS Tool
Scenario
(The user was provided form input data if task couldn’t be completed.)
An engineer is designing a voltage regulator off a lithium polymer battery to run a 3.3 voltage system that draws 2 amps at peak current. They need to find a corresponding capacitor and inductor for their design. Using the tool, show us how you would find acceptable results.
Post Scenario Questions
What other design parameters are needed for SMPS and for capacitor search?
How can results be better presented?
How should the tool be sorted? By size? By price? By closest to target? Etc.
Select a part, now go purchase this product?
Where are the support documents? Datasheet?
Is the scrolling helping or hurting
Would you share this information? Or want to save it?
Any other needed features?
Cap Finder
Pre Scenario
Questions
What is your initial response to this tool
What do you think you would use this tool for?
CAP Finder Tool Scenario
(The user was provided form input data if task couldn’t be completed, but in almost all cases the user wasn’t getting results and was provided data.)
An engineer is looking for a capacitor for his circuit design. He is worried about derating of the capacitor and wants to find a solution with the smallest footprint possible. The chip requires 10uF up to 500kHz on a 12V system. Enter your inputs to produce results for the best capacitor to fit your situation. Please don’t use optional parameters in the middle and only use the capacitance range below.
Post Scenario Questions
How can results be better presented?
How should the tool be sorted? By size? By price? By closest to target? Etc.
If you needed additional documents where would you go for those?
Any other needed features?
Final Thoughts
The majority of the users enjoyed both tools and what details they had to offer. There was various information on the page that some users did not care to have, but over 90% would use either tool to complete their design project, ranging from students to senior engineers.
Some important factors that affected the user test:
SMPS
Human error and misinterpretations of qualitative feedback affected the results to slight but varying degrees and needed the inputs in order to complete the scenario
Some users were very specific on their inputs where no results were produced on the whole tool or inductors only
CAP Finder
When the tool loads, it shows “loading” without any results input
Users were having issues with speed
A series of common bugs and errors occurred (listed in sections above). Ended up providing inputs to eliminate frustration and increase speed up since time was becoming limited