I acted as Project Manager of this project, created several of the visualizations, and did all of the design and implementation work for the prototype. Usability testing was conducted and the prototype was successful. Users were given a set of steps based upon personas used to design the tool. Users then made selections to reach the intended goal and the visualizations were changed with JavaScript and the filters were filled using AJAX. Several changes could be made on future versions of this tool but many of our design ideas were easily understood and intuitive to the users we tested.

Usability testing steps:

Scenario 1: compare multiple jobs for one location

1. Determine which states have the highest annual mean salary.
2. You currently live in Washington, and have decided you are not interested in moving to another location. Limit your results to only Washington.
3. Analyze the current image. Which metro areas appear to have the highest mean annual salaries?
4. Based on these results, you decide you are only interested in jobs in the Seattle area. Refine your results to show jobs only for this location.
5. Limit your results further to show only IT jobs.
6. Compare the IT positions shown. Which position appears to have the highest annual salary? Are there are trends for the various occupations over time? How does your previous position (computer support specialist) compare to other IT positions?

Scenario 2: compare single job for multiple locations

1. You want to compare one specific job at several locations. Select the area of the tool that supports this type of search.
2. Based on previous research, you determine that California, Florida, Montana, and New York are locations you are interested in moving to. Limit your search to these states only.
3. Having worked as an information systems manager, you are only interested in IT related positions. Filter your results for only this industry.
4. What information is displayed in the visualization? Does it appear that one state is a clear favorite over the others? If so, which state? What leads you to this conclusion?
5. Refine your results to show only information systems manager jobs.
6. Looking at your current results, compare the four chosen states and determine which location has the greatest salary potential for your desired position. How did you determine this? Which graph best supports this task?
7. Examine the percentile graph in greater detail. In your previous position your annual salary was in the top 25% on all information systems managers in your area. Estimate what that would be equal to for each of the states being considered (values are already adjusted for cost of living).
8. Save your current display for future reference.