Usability testing script template

What is a usability testing script?

A usability testing script is a structured document that guides moderators through usability testing sessions, ensuring consistent facilitation across all participants. The script includes an introduction, task descriptions, questions to ask, observation notes, and wrap-up procedures to capture how users interact with your product or prototype.

Think of it as your session roadmap - it keeps you on track, ensures you collect consistent data across participants, and helps you avoid forgetting critical questions or tasks. A well-crafted script balances structure with flexibility, allowing you to probe deeper when participants reveal interesting insights.

What you'll get in this template

• Complete moderated session script with introduction templates covering rapport building, expectation setting, and consent language, background question frameworks to understand participant context and experience level, detailed task presentation guidelines with realistic scenario writing tips, think-aloud protocol prompts to encourage continuous verbalization, systematic observation checklists tracking navigation patterns, confusion indicators, and error recovery behaviors, probing question library organized by 15+ common situations like user hesitation, task abandonment, unexpected success, and frustration moments, wrap-up procedures with final feedback collection, incentive distribution steps, and post-session documentation checklist
• Unmoderated testing framework featuring participant-facing welcome screens with technical setup instructions and consent collection, self-guided task card templates with clear objectives and success criteria, post-task micro-surveys capturing difficulty ratings and open feedback, final survey template gathering overall impressions and feature requests, automated thank you screen with incentive delivery information, and recording setup instructions for screen capture and audio think-aloud protocols
• Task scenario library across product types including 40+ ready-to-adapt task examples for SaaS tools (account setup, feature discovery, workflow completion), e-commerce sites (product search, comparison, checkout), mobile apps (onboarding, core feature usage, settings configuration), content-heavy websites (information finding, navigation testing), and configuration tasks (preference setting, integration setup), with guidance on writing realistic scenarios that test actual user goals without revealing solutions or providing unnecessary hints

Why use a usability testing script template?

Ensure consistency across sessions
When testing with multiple participants, consistency is crucial for comparing results and identifying patterns. A script ensures every participant receives the same instructions, performs the same tasks, and encounters the same questions, making your findings more reliable and actionable.

Reduce moderator bias and leading questions
Without a script, it's easy to accidentally guide participants toward answers you want to hear or ask questions differently based on previous sessions. A well-written script keeps you neutral, asks open-ended questions, and lets users' authentic experiences emerge.

Never forget critical tasks or questions
In the flow of a testing session, it's surprisingly easy to skip important tasks or forget to ask key follow-up questions. Your script acts as a checklist, ensuring you cover everything needed to answer your research questions while maintaining natural conversation.

Onboard new team members faster
When multiple researchers facilitate sessions, a standardized script ensures everyone follows the same approach. New moderators can learn your testing methodology quickly, and stakeholders can observe sessions knowing what to expect.

Focus on observing, not remembering
With your script handling what to say and when to say it, you can focus your attention on observing user behavior, noting pain points, and catching subtle reactions that reveal usability issues.

Maintain ethical research practices
Scripts help you consistently communicate important ethical considerations like informed consent, recording permissions, data usage, and participants' rights to skip questions or end the session.

How to use this template

1. Define your testing goals (15 minutes)
Start by clarifying what you need to learn. Are you evaluating overall navigation? Testing a specific feature? Comparing design alternatives? Your goals determine which tasks to include and what questions to ask.

2. Select relevant task scenarios (20 minutes)
Choose or customize task scenarios from the template that align with your testing goals. Good tasks are realistic, specific, and completion-based (e.g., "Find and purchase a blue t-shirt in size medium" rather than "Explore the shopping experience").

3. Customize the script language (30 minutes)
Adapt the introduction, task instructions, and questions to match your product, audience, and research goals. Keep instructions clear and avoid jargon. Ensure your consent language meets legal requirements and company policies.

4. Add observation checkpoints (15 minutes)
Review the observation checklist and add specific behaviors or reactions you want to track. Include success criteria for each task so you know what "completed successfully" looks like.

5. Run a pilot test (30 minutes)
Test your script with a colleague or pilot participant to identify confusing instructions, timing issues, or missing questions. This dry run helps you refine the script before real sessions.

6. Brief your team (15 minutes if applicable)
If others will observe sessions or take notes, walk them through the script so they know what to expect. Share the observation checklist so everyone captures consistent data.

7. Facilitate your sessions
Follow the script while remaining flexible enough to probe interesting observations. Take notes on any script improvements for future sessions.

8. Refine for next time (10 minutes post-session)
After each session, note what worked well and what could improve. Update the script for subsequent sessions if you discover better ways to phrase questions or present tasks.

What makes this template different?

Covers both moderated and unmoderated testing
Most templates focus exclusively on moderated sessions. This template includes frameworks for both in-person/remote moderated testing and self-guided unmoderated testing, so you can choose the right approach for your study.

Includes situation-specific probing questions
Rather than generic "tell me more" prompts, you'll find targeted follow-up questions organized by situation: when users succeed easily, when they struggle, when they abandon tasks, and when they express unexpected reactions.

Task scenarios across product types
The template includes example tasks for SaaS tools, e-commerce sites, mobile apps, and content-heavy websites. You're not starting from scratch - just adapt the scenarios that fit your product category.

Ethical considerations built in
Informed consent, recording permissions, data usage transparency, and participant rights are woven throughout the script, not afterthoughts. This helps you maintain ethical research practices from start to finish.

Observation frameworks, not just questions
Beyond asking questions, the template guides you on what to observe: facial expressions, hesitations, mouse movements, verbalizations, error recovery attempts, and workarounds - the behaviors that reveal usability issues.

Based on industry best practices
The script structure follows proven methodologies from UX research leaders and testing frameworks used by companies like Nielsen Norman Group, Google, and leading design agencies.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a usability testing script be?
For a 60-minute session, your script might be 4-6 pages: introduction (1 page), tasks (2-3 pages), wrap-up (1 page). The key is balancing structure with flexibility. You need enough detail to stay consistent but not so much that you sound robotic.

Should I read the script word-for-word?
For the introduction and task descriptions, yes - consistency matters for comparing results across participants. For follow-up questions and conversation, use the script as a guide but speak naturally. The goal is professional consistency, not rigid reading.

How many tasks should I include?
For a 60-minute moderated session, 4-6 tasks is typical. For unmoderated testing, you can include more (8-12) since there's no moderator conversation. Each task should take 5-15 minutes depending on complexity.

What if a participant gets stuck on a task?
Your script should include intervention guidelines. Common approaches: wait 2-3 minutes to see if they recover, ask "What would you expect to happen next?", or provide a hint if they're completely blocked. Document when and how you intervene.

Can I modify the script during the study?
Minor wording adjustments for clarity are fine, but avoid changing task descriptions or core questions mid-study. If you discover a major issue after the first session, you might revise for remaining sessions and note the change in your analysis.

How do I handle think-aloud protocol?
The template includes think-aloud prompts to encourage verbalization without leading. Remind participants at the start, and gently prompt if they go silent: "Remember to tell me what you're thinking" or "What are you looking for?"

Should different team members use different scripts?
No. Consistency across moderators is critical for reliability. Everyone should follow the same script, though experienced moderators may develop their own natural delivery style while hitting the same points.

What about testing with non-English speakers?
Translate your script into the participant's language and ensure your moderator is fluent. Cultural context matters too - some cultures are more direct than others, so adjust tone while maintaining core content.

Ready to run better usability tests?

Download the template and start facilitating consistent, insightful usability testing sessions.

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