We conduct user interface testing as early as practicable in the project.

For consumer facing applications, we recruit testers who fit our demographic target market and ask them to conduct real tasks.  For instance, for a consumer facing financial application we asked them to upload a list of transactions from their bank account.

We use screen capture software to create a video of the user's test, showing their actions as they use the software.

We find this kind of real world testing enormously useful as both customers and developers are too familiar with the software to make good testers.

A fresh set of eyes is often necessary to see missing features or places where the user interface can be improved.

Next: Deployment