Who is responsible for running a usability test and ensuring test objectives are met?

The individual responsible for running a usability test and ensuring that the test objectives are met is the moderator. The moderator plays a crucial role in guiding the testing session, facilitating the interaction between participants and the usability test materials. They create an environment that encourages honest feedback and interaction, ensuring that participants feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and behaviors as they navigate the product or service being tested.

The moderator is also responsible for making sure that the test follows the planned objectives, asking the right questions, and adapting the session as needed to gather the most useful insights. They keep the focus on usability goals and ensure that all relevant tasks are covered, while also observing user behavior to identify any usability issues that arise during the session.

In contrast, participants are the individuals whose actions and reactions provide the data for usability testing, but they do not manage the testing process. Designers might help create the tests or the products being tested, but their role is not to conduct the tests. The facilitator often assists in managing the logistics of the testing environment and may help with the setup, but the primary responsibility for the test content and direction lies with the moderator.