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Assignment questions
Health Information ManagementWritten assignmentHealth informatics

HCI 670 user testing script benchmark: a planning guide

A script, not an essay — six questions that between them have to produce a document someone could pick up and run a test session from.

Editorial process

Last reviewed · August 10, 2026

01

What makes this a testing script rather than an essay?

The word script is the assignment's key instruction and the one most papers ignore. A script is an operational document: it says who is in the room, what they will be asked to do, in what order, what counts as a pass, and what happens when it fails. An essay about the importance of testing, however well written, is not one. Write the six required answers as the sections of a document a colleague could execute without you present, and the paper will satisfy both the rubric and the word script at the same time. The brief also tells you to use the instructor feedback on your Topic 5 assignment, which means the workflow being tested is one you already built and had corrected — so the script has to test that workflow, not an idealised one.

The participants question is more interesting than it looks. Testing the electronic form built for the oncology RN navigator means the primary testers are the people who will use it, and that is not a single role — the navigator, whoever covers when they are absent, and anyone downstream who consumes what the form produces. Add the people who make the test valid rather than convenient: someone unfamiliar with the design, because a designer cannot detect their own ambiguity, and a representative of any group whose work the new workflow changes. Say how many of each and why, since a script that says "users" has not decided anything. Numbers matter less than coverage at this scale: three or four testers spanning the roles will surface most usability problems, and a script that proposes twenty has confused a usability test with a survey.

The elements to test should follow from the workflow rather than from a generic list, and the useful distinction is between the form, the workflow and the integration. Testing the form asks whether fields are understood, whether required entries can be completed with the information available at that moment, and whether anything is ambiguous. Testing the workflow asks whether the task can be completed in the real sequence, under interruption, at the point of care. Testing the integration asks whether what is entered reaches the systems and people that need it. Most failures in health IT implementations sit in the second and third of these, not the first. Include at least one safety element as well — what happens when a required field is left blank, or when two people open the same record — because a form that works perfectly in the happy path is not yet safe.

The three testing types named in the brief are distinct and the paper should keep them apart. Acceptance testing asks whether the delivered system meets the agreed requirements — it is a pass/fail judgement made against a specification by the people who will accept it. Integration testing asks whether the new component works correctly with the systems around it. Testing of system enhancements asks whether a change does what it should and, crucially, has not broken something that previously worked, which is regression testing in all but name. Give the steps for each in order, and note who signs off at the end of each. Sequence matters between them too: integration testing before acceptance testing, because there is no point accepting a component that cannot reach the systems around it.

The rules, expected outcomes and failure plan are where a script becomes usable. Rules covers the conditions of a valid test: use a test environment rather than production, use realistic but not real patient data, do not coach the tester, record the session, define when to intervene. Expected action and outcome should be written per test element as a specific observable result — not "the form works" but "the navigator completes referral entry within the encounter without leaving the chart, and the referral appears in the receiving queue." The failure plan needs a severity classification, because not all failures are equal: a defect that blocks the task stops the go-live, one that slows it enters the fix list, one that is cosmetic is documented and deferred. Say who makes that classification and how quickly a retest happens, since a failure plan that ends with "report to the project team" has stopped one step before the useful part.

On evidence and mechanics: at least two scholarly resources, APA formatting and 750 to 1,000 words, with an 11-criterion benchmark rubric you should read before you start. Human factors work gives you the strongest citations here — usability validation for health records is a documented method rather than an opinion, and implementation reviews consistently identify workflow analysis and training as the recurring gaps. Citing that literature where you justify a testing decision, rather than in a paragraph about why testing matters, is what turns a compliant script into a defended one. Read the rubric's eleven criteria before drafting rather than after; at this word count each criterion is worth roughly one short paragraph, and a script that covers ten of them well and omits one entirely loses more than one that covers all eleven adequately.

Likely learning objectives

Inferred from the brief — check these against your own rubric.

  • 01
    Write an operational document rather than a discussion of one.
  • 02
    Distinguish acceptance, integration and enhancement testing by what each one asks.
  • 03
    Express an expected outcome as an observable result rather than a judgement.
  • 04
    Classify defects by severity so a failure plan can be acted on.
Assignment instructionsQuoted verbatim

Read the full question

Review every instruction before using the planning guidance that follows.

Benchmark – User Testing Script Benchmark – User Testing Script The purpose of this assignment is to apply user testing to the created workflow for the identified case study need. Read the \”Integrated Case Study\” resource prior to beginning the assignment. In addition, refer to the instructor feedback you received on the Topic 5 assignment. Write a 750-1,000 word test script that answers the following questions: Who would be part of the user testing? What are the elements to test? What are the steps used to perform acceptance testing, integration testing of new systems, and testing of system enhancements? Are there any rules involved? What is the action/outcome expected? What would the action plan be if testing does not work? Cite at least two scholarly resources in your response. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. RUBRIC Topic 6 Rubric: Benchmark – User Testing Script No of Criteria: 11 Achievement Levels: 5 Criteria Achievement Levels DescriptionPercentage 1: Unsatisfactory 0.00 % 2: Less Than Satisfactory 74.00 % 3: Satisfactory 79.00 % 4: Good 87.00 % 5: Excellent 100.00 % Content 100.0 User 10.0 A description of who is part of the user testing is not present. A description of who is part of the user testing is incomplete or incorrect. A description of who is part of the user testing is included but lacks supporting details. A description of who is part of the user testing is complete and includes supporting details. A description of who is part of the user testing is extremely thorough and includes substantial supporting details. Elements to Test 10.0 A description of the elements to test is not present. A description of the elements to test is incomplete or incorrect. A description of the elements to test is included but lacks supporting details. A description of the elements to test is complete and includes supporting details. A description of the elements to test is extremely thorough and includes substantial supporting details. Testing Steps (C2.6, C6.10) 10.0 An explanation of the steps to be taken to perform acceptance testing, integration testing of new systems, and testing of system enhancements is not present. An explanation of the steps to be taken to perform acceptance testing, integration testing of new systems, and testing of system enhancements is incomplete or incorrect. An explanation of the steps to be taken to perform acceptance testing, integration testing of new systems, and testing of system enhancements is included but lacks supporting details. An explanation of the steps to be taken to perform acceptance testing, integration testing of new systems, and testing of system enhancements is complete and includes supporting details. An explanation of the steps to be taken to perform acceptance testing, integration testing of new systems, and testing of system enhancements is extremely thorough and includes substantial supporting details. Rules 10.0 A description of the rules used in the user testing is not present. A description of the rules used in the user testing is incomplete or incorrect. A description of the rules used in the user testing is included but lacks supporting details. A description of the rules used in the user testing is complete and includes supporting details. A description of the rules used in the user testing is extremely thorough and includes substantial supporting details. Action or Outcome 10.0 An explanation of the action or outcome expected from the user testing is not present. An explanation of the action or outcome expected from the user testing is incomplete or incorrect. An explanation of the action or outcome expected from the user testing is included but lacks supporting details. An explanation of the action or outcome expected from the user testing is complete and includes supporting details. An explanation of the action or outcome expected from the user testing is extremely thorough and includes substantial supporting details. Action Plan 20.0 An explanation of the action plan to be put in place if the user testing does not work is not present. An explanation of the action plan to be put in place if the user testing does not work is incomplete or incorrect. An explanation of the action plan to be put in place if the user testing does not work is included but lacks supporting details. An explanation of the action plan to be put in place if the user testing does not work is complete and includes supporting details. An explanation of the action plan to be put in place if the user testing does not work is extremely thorough and includes substantial supporting details. Thesis Development and Purpose 7.0 Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear. Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose. Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear. Argument Logic and Construction 8.0 Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources. Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility. Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative. Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative. Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) 5.0 Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used. Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied. Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are employed. Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of speech. Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English. Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) 5.0 Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent. Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style. All format elements are correct. Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style) 5.0 Sources are not documented. Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct. Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error. Total Percentage 100 Integrated Case Study Overview: Throughout this course, you will use this case study to demonstrate knowledge of the following course content: Clinical decision support Assessing user needs Analyzing and documenting workflow Designing and customizing fields, forms, and templates User testing Evaluation metrics Designing user documentation and training In a series of assignments, you will use this case study to integrate user interface design (including usability/human factor principles) into a design document, analyze and develop workflows, evaluate users’ needs (including their involvement in user testing), develop evaluation metrics, and design end user training materials. The case study, which will be used throughout the course, will focus on various components of the course topics. It focuses specifically on the unique needs of oncology patients and the health care needs of oncology navigators and prior authorization/financial coordinators. The Case: Universal Health is a large not-for-profit health care system with 12 hospitals in three states and two large oncology programs in Arizona. One of the oncology programs is affiliated with Academic Hospital and the other with a larger national oncology health care system. Although both oncology locations are part of Universal Health, there are significant differences in how each of the locations operates due to a recent merger/acquisition of the Academic Hospital oncology program (Oncology South) and the affiliation of the other oncology program (Oncology North) with a national oncology health care system. To compound these operational issues, Oncology North had been part of Universal Health for 8 years, so its Electronic Health Record (EHR) was Chrystal, which was the EHR platform for Universal Health and became the model used to convert Oncology South off its EHR to align with the rest of the organization. Management of oncology patients is quite complex and there was significant concern from Oncology South about the EHR conversion, as well as changes that would affect its operating model. Previously, both oncology programs worked relatively independently with IT to create custom solutions, but now would need to work together to create a standardized oncology solution for Universal Health. If a merger/acquisition of a large academic hospital and its oncology program was not complex enough, adding the conversion of an EHR certainly made the situation more difficult. Also compounding the issue, Oncology North—although it had been on the EHR Chrystal for almost 8 years—had significant issues with the current build and felt that there were several gaps related to functionality for oncology clinicians to service its unique population. Since Universal Health was in the process of converting the EHR at Academic Hospital and Oncology program, the EHR vendor, Chrystal, was actively involving its alignment specialists to assist in the conversion. One of the key first steps of the Chrystal alignment specialists was to do a gap analysis and prioritization of EHR functionality for oncology as well as throughout Universal Health. The gap analysis done by Chrystal found that the oncology build for Universal Health overall did not align to its recommendation for oncology specialties in several areas within the EHR. As a result, a focused team (including a project manager, nursing informatics, Universal Health IT resources, Chrystal oncology alignment specialists, and Chrystal oncology IT experts) was created to systematically address the recommendations from the Chrystal oncology gap analysis. Although there were recommendations globally related to Universal Health’s overall EHR build, there were some specific recommendations related to the build of the oncology platform within Chrystal. Some of the initial focus was related to concerns related to prior authorization/financial gaps and the functionally/workflow of all the oncology providers/clinicians, but also the oncology navigators who really did not have any oncology functionality within Chrystal. Servicing an oncology population is a significant part of the patient demographics of any large health care organization. Oncology patients have unique needs due to the frequency of their visits and the length of their treatments and follow-up, which can last a lifetime. A cancer diagnosis is life changing and can cause great emotional, physical, and financial stress. Oncology navigators exist to assess and assist patients and their families during their cancer treatment and hopefully into remission/survivorship. Unfortunately, cancer treatment can be costly, and dealing with insurance companies for prior authorization is an unfortunate reality in the current health care system. For health care providers, there is great financial responsibility in providing cancer treatment, so obtaining authorization from insurance companies and ensuring that patients are aware of their own financial responsibility are essential for both the patient and the organization. After a patient receives a cancer diagnosis, the next step is usually a referral to an oncology specialist/program like Oncology North or Oncology South. That referral can come from a patient calling an oncology specialist/program directly or from the diagnosing physician contacting an oncology specialist/program. Oncology South and Oncology North both have dedicated intake referral specialists who work directly with patients, families, and referring physicians to get patients scheduled with an oncology specialist based on their diagnosis. Before the patient sees the oncology specialist for the first time, many documents need to be sent to the prior authorization team for review to ensure that the appropriate prior authorization is obtained from the insurance company, as well as making sure that the patient will be seen by the most appropriate oncology specialist for the specifically diagnosed cancer. These documents vary from pathology reports, diagnostic results, and referring physician notes that can be sent to the prior authorization specialist at different times for different patients. It is essential to have a standard workflow and expectation of standard documentation in a certain place in the EHR, so that everyone involved in the initial authorization and clinical care knows what steps have been taken and what actions are pending. While these financial steps are occurring behind the scenes and are important details that need to be secured before a patient’s first appointment, it is worth noting that at this juncture patients have just received some of the worst news in their life and they just want to get treatment as soon as possible. Oncology navigators are nurses that specialize in assisting patients navigate their cancer journey from diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship. After the first contact with the oncology intake specialists, oncology navigators are the next foundational step in the patient’s journey towards treatment and recovery. After the initial documentation is completed by the intake specialist who provides some basic information, including name of person calling, contact information, referral sources, provider information, and diagnosis information, such as type of cancer. Based upon the type of cancer on the intake documentation, an oncology navigator who specializes in that cancer type is notified of the new patient and contacts the patient to initiate a custom navigation plan based upon assessment of needs. The oncology navigator role is an extremely important part of the oncology team. However, oncology navigators were identified as being significantly underdeveloped within Universal Health EHR based upon Chrystal’s gap analysis, so there needed to be focused attention on this group within the organization. As a result, a dedicated team needed to be formed to include individuals from nursing informatics from Universal Health, Chrystal oncology alignment and IT specialists, Chrystal IT staff, and oncology navigators from both Oncology North and Oncology South. This team would be responsible documenting workflow, assessing end user needs, and submitting a final design recommendation (including training materials) to the Universal Health IT build team. The completion deadline for the design document is 8 weeks. Assessing current state and understanding end user needs must be one of the first goals of this dedicated team. Two days were dedicated for onsite observations of oncology navigators at Oncology South and Oncology North, during which it was discovered from the observations that even though the oncology navigators at both locations performed the same role, they had some significant differences that needed to be overcome to be able to collaborate and create a single oncology navigator solution. The grid below outlines some of the differences. Operations Differences Oncology South Oncology North Initial Contact With Patient Phone interview within 3 days Initial physician clinic visit Patient Oversight All oncology patients Only oncology patients that have identified needs Documentation Paper form: See document: Nav Assessment 2018 Paper form: See document: Oncology North Although each location has operational differences, they also have several similarities in how they used some of the tools in the EHR, as well as their need for data and the ability to track/trend the outcomes of their patients. One key request was to make it easier for all oncology clinicians to be able to see their documentation within Chrystal. These foundational similarities aligned to what Chrystal oncology specialists had implemented at other institutions, having already created an Oncology Navigator Recommended Design Document that could be used at Universal Health. The table below provides some similarities between Oncology North and Oncology South. Operations Similarities Oncology North and Oncology South Position Navigator/Coordinator RN Data Request Wanted discrete data for reports Electronic Documentation Used same two electronic methods to chart: 1. Electronic forms shared by all types of navigators (e.g., ortho, pulmonary) 2. Free-text note also shared by same navigators above Electronic Documentation Wanted it to be easier to find specific oncology navigator documentation Health care is all about data. In addition to using EHR for recording documentation, it is used to extract data to evaluate outcomes. Data in the EHR can come from discrete data from ICD10/ICD9 used by providers/coders, SNOMED, IMO codes used clinicians, but also directly from forms and flowsheets from discrete data fields. Understanding the unique data requirements of the oncology navigators, as well the initial prior authorization team, is foundational to creating the appropriate discrete fields or using existing data fields like ICD10 to help sort and organize data.
02

The six questions the script must answer

  1. 01
    A 750–1,000 word test script.
  2. 02
    Who would be part of the user testing.
  3. 03
    The elements to test.
  4. 04
    The steps used for acceptance testing, integration testing of new systems and testing of system enhancements.
  5. 05
    Any rules involved.
  6. 06
    The action or outcome expected.
  7. 07
    The action plan if testing does not work.
  8. 08
    At least two scholarly resources, in APA format.
03

Testers, elements, procedures, failure plan

01

Participants

Name the roles and numbers taking part and justify each, including someone unfamiliar with the design.

02

Elements to test

Group what is being tested into the form, the workflow and the integrations, derived from the case study.

03

Procedures for the three testing types

Give ordered steps for acceptance, integration and enhancement testing, each with a sign-off.

04

Rules, expected outcomes and the failure plan

State the conditions of a valid test, the observable result expected per element, and what happens by severity when a test fails.

04

Where the health IT testing evidence sits

Recommended databases

  • The Integrated Case Study resource and your Topic 5 feedback
  • NIST publications on EHR usability
  • ONC HealthIT.gov, including the SAFER guides
  • PubMed Central and JMIR for health informatics research

Search sequence

  1. 1.
    Re-read the Topic 5 workflow and your instructor's feedback first, since the script has to test the workflow you actually built.
  2. 2.
    Search usability validation for electronic health records rather than software testing generally; the health-specific method is what the rubric will recognise.
  3. 3.
    Look at an implementation review for the recurring failure areas, and make sure your elements list covers them.
  4. 4.
    Check the SAFER guides for the safety-related checks a health IT test should include, which most student scripts omit entirely.
05

Sources on usability validation and implementation

These are authoritative starting points, not a ready-made bibliography. A qualified reviewer must confirm that each source fits the assignment and supports the claim beside which it is cited.

Nothing here is cleared for citation until you have read it.

  1. 01

    Technical Evaluation, Testing, and Validation of the Usability of Electronic Health Records: Empirically Based Use Cases for Validating Safety-Enhanced Usability and Guidelines for Standardization

    National Institute of Standards and Technology · 2012

    The reference protocol for validating EHR usability with a safety emphasis, including how use cases are constructed and evaluated. Cite it when you justify your elements and your expected outcomes; it is a standards document rather than a study, so use it for method.

  2. 02

    Mind the Gap: A systematic review to identify usability and safety challenges and practices during electronic health record implementation

    Applied Clinical Informatics · 2016

    Six recurring gaps including workflow analysis and training. The evidence for testing the workflow and the integrations rather than the form alone, and for putting training readiness in the failure plan.

  3. 03

    SAFER Guides

    Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology · 2025

    Self-assessment guides for the safe use of health IT, including system interfaces and clinician communication. A source of specific safety checks to include as test elements, which is the dimension most student scripts leave out.

  4. 04

    Involving Health Care Professionals in the Development of Electronic Health Records: Scoping Review

    JMIR Human Factors · 2023

    Seventy studies finding clinicians typically involved only once in development. Useful for arguing that the testers should include the people whose work changes, and for justifying more than one round of testing.

06

Before you submit

Common mistakes

  • Writing an essay about the importance of testing rather than a script that could be executed.
  • Saying "users" without deciding roles or numbers.
  • Testing only the form and not the workflow or the integrations, where most implementation failures actually occur.
  • Merging acceptance, integration and enhancement testing into one undifferentiated procedure.
  • Omitting regression concerns from enhancement testing.
  • Writing expected outcomes as judgements rather than as observable results.
  • Giving a failure plan with no severity classification, so every defect appears equally blocking.
  • Using production systems or real patient data in the described test conditions.

Submission checklist

  • Tester roles are named with numbers and a reason for each.
  • At least one tester is unfamiliar with the design.
  • Elements are grouped into form, workflow and integration.
  • Each of the three testing types has its own ordered steps and a sign-off point.
  • Rules cover environment, data, coaching and recording.
  • Each element has a specific, observable expected outcome.
  • Defect severity levels are defined and tied to actions.
  • Two or more scholarly sources are cited in APA format.
  • Word count sits between 750 and 1,000.

Use this guide to plan and review your own work. Follow your institution's rules and read our academic-integrity policy.

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