What it is for:A moderated usability test is a session where a facilitator watches one participant try realistic tasks on a service, form or prototype, without giving hints. You leave with a worksheet for each session showing, task by task, what was expected, what happened and whether it passed.
Who it helps:Product, content and service teams with a prototype, live page or form who need to know whether real users can complete it.
When to use it
You have a prototype, a live page or a paper form and want to know whether people can actually complete the main tasks.
Complaints or call volumes tell you something is wrong but not where in the journey it breaks.
The team disagrees about a design and needs evidence from people who will really use it.
How to use it
Pick three to five tasks and write each as a short scenario in the user's language.
Write the success criterion for each task before you start.
Recruit about five people who match your users and did not design it.
Read each task, then stay quiet and return questions to the participant.
Record what you saw and pass or fail per task, then review the round as a team.
Tip:Run a pilot session with a colleague from another team to catch unclear tasks before real participants arrive.
Credits and sources:Original Tiremesù worksheet and wording. Further reading: 18F Methods https://github.com/18F/methods/tree/main/_methods
Full guide and film:https://www.tiremesu.com/guides/moderated-usability-test
