usability issues in real time. Putting controls in proximity to what they affect.

Even on holiday I had a usability moment ...
I stayed at a hotel in Rotorua. I was given a mechanical key and swipe card. My hotel room was opened by the key. So i went to the mineral pool, and headed for the door. My eye zeroed in on the signage, door handle and lock. My key didn't work. Looking around the door frame, zilch cues
.
Stepping back I finally saw this..

see the next pic ...






There was a metal box on the outer wall of the door. out of curiosity I placed the swipe card in front of it. Lo and behold, the door unlocked. Looking in, it was not so appealing so I went to the Polynesian Pools next door instead.

User testing, not just for labs

I watched some other hotel guests do the exact same thing, it was defacto usability testing. I saw enough of a sample of guests zero in on the mechanical lock, eventually notice the key card control (with no labels) and try it or walk to reception for help. Guests were probably conditioned by the same experience checking in and getting into their rooms. The lack of proximity and signposting of the actual access control also did not help.

So, put controls close to the area they effect, label them appropriately or signpost to the user in the area of attention they hit first if its not possible to put controls there. Signpost controls where the user is most likely to 'land'/look first. Physical spaces and work flows need user experience love too.