SUS

The System Usability Scale (SUS) consists of ten statements that users respond to after interacting with a product. These statements cover various aspects of usability, such as ease of use, complexity, and confidence in using the system. The scoring system ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better usability. This standardized scale allows for benchmarking against other systems, providing a comparative usability metric.

SUS has gained popularity due to its reliability and the robust data it provides. Research has shown that it correlates well with more extensive usability testing methodologies, making it a valuable tool in the UX toolkit. Its origins date back to the late 1980s, and it has since been adopted in various industries as a standard for measuring user satisfaction.

Administering the SUS questionnaire to users after testing a product.

Analyzing SUS scores to identify usability issues and areas for improvement.

Comparing SUS scores across different products or versions to gauge usability enhancements.

Integrating SUS into regular user testing processes to monitor usability over time.

Reporting findings from SUS analysis to stakeholders to inform design decisions.

Provides a quick, reliable measure of usability.

Easy to administer and understand by users.

Facilitates benchmarking against other systems and products.

Helps in identifying specific areas that require design improvements.

Encourages data-driven decision-making in UX design.

A SaaS company may implement the SUS questionnaire after users have tested their new software feature. By collecting and analyzing the SUS scores, the UX team discovers that users find the navigation difficult, which leads to targeted design modifications that improve the overall user experience.

Conducting usability testing for a new mobile application.

Evaluating the user experience of an e-commerce website.

Assessing the usability of a software update or new feature.

Gathering feedback on a hardware product, such as a smart home device.

Monitoring usability changes over time following major design revisions.

SUS may not capture all aspects of user experience, such as emotional responses.

Responses can be influenced by user biases or expectations.

Interpreting SUS scores without context can be misleading.

Not suitable for all types of products or services, particularly those requiring in-depth qualitative feedback.

Online survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms) for administering SUS questionnaires.

Usability testing platforms that integrate SUS as part of their feedback mechanisms.

Statistical analysis software for interpreting SUS scores.

UX analytics tools to correlate SUS findings with user behavior metrics.

Benchmarking tools for comparing SUS scores with industry standards.