Step 10: Test your design decisions

Testing wireframes helps validate ideas, discover functionality issues, and explore user flows. It also saves a lot of time and money. Studies show that it can cost 10 times more to fix something later in development.^[1]

Testing methods vary from observation sessions to full-on eye-tracking, depending on the budget. NNG recommends regularly testing in small groups of up to 5 people — anything more elaborate is a waste of time and resources.^[2] So all you need is your wireframes, a small meeting room, and 2-3 colleagues.

When planning the testing session, decide which parts of the flow to test and write a short script. Think of the task and goals to complete that you can give to participants. It’s best to stick to a single task to maintain focus.

After the testing session, analyze the results and iterate on these findings. Then rinse and repeat until you find the best solutions.