From: Hayden Findley (Research Associate)

To: Mark Smucker

Date:10/3/2023
Subject: Improvements to PB&J Instructions

Dear Mr. Smucker,

On Tuesday, October 3rd we completed multiple usability tests on how to make a proper peanut

butter and jelly sandwich. We conducted a test on three different subjects, all of which used the

same instructions and were in the same environment. All three subjects felt good about the

instructions overall. No subject had negative thoughts before, during,g or after completing the

instructions but the subjects had a few points they believed could be improved on.

These improvements include:

1) Add a specific bullet on when to put the slices of bread together.

2) Provide an image in the “Adding the Salted Peanuts” section.

3) Provide more specific measurements of ingredients.

4) Add a warning/disclaimer box about potential safety hazards.

After the suggested improvements have been made, another usability test will be completed with

different subjects to find more needed improvements or if the added improvements helped users

understand the instructions.

Thank you for your time,

Hayden Findley
Smucker’s Research Associate
(678)-(999)-8212
Smuckssearch@gmail.com

From: Hayden Findley (Research Associate)

To: Mark Smucker
Date: 10/3/2023
Subject: Results of PB&J Usability Testing
Action Required: Read through research found from usability testing.

I am emailing about the results of October 3rd’s usability testing. The testing came back with a
few requested improvements that I would like clearance to add/fix. We tested three3 subjects,
and each gave feedback that can help us understand and improve the usability of our instructions.
For example, providing specific measurements for the used ingredients and adding a warning
box of safety hazards.

Summary
All test subjects found the instructions helpful in completing the task. There were a few common
themes between all three3 subjects. No subject had any issue with the choice of font, color, or
size of the font. Two of the subjects thought an area of the instructions could be more specific.
All subjects found the images provided to be helpful and only one subject felt that another image
should be added for better understanding. All three subjects said that they found the instructions
to be “straightforward,” ”, “easy,” and “helpful.”. Two of the three subjects had positive
emotions throughout the entire test. The subject that did not have continual positive emotions
showed confusion but continued to refer back to the instructions for clarity.

Results

Subjects talked aloud during the usability test and notes were recorded about their thoughts and
feelings. One subject began by reading the entire instructions before starting while the other two
went step by step as soon as they were presented with the instructions. No subject had any safety
issues during the instructions.

ClarityFinding 1) The subjects found that they had “no issue” understanding the instructions.

Subjects felt that instructions were “straightforward” in all sections throughout the document.

Adding detailsFinding 2) One subject felt that at points the instructions were almost too

easy to understand, which may have added confusion in the step-by-step approach. This subject

felt that adding specific details would make understanding the instructions less confusing in

certain sections of the instructions.

Adding a labelFinding 3) One subject thought that adding a warning label at the beginning

would help users understand potential safety risks while completing the instructions.

Adding a pictureFinding 4) One subject thought that the addition of a picture in the

“Adding the salted peanuts” section would add beneficial visual information.

Font styleFinding 5) All subjects found no issue in the font style, size or color and felt that

basic font usage was best for the instructions.

How to Address Findings

The feedback provided by the participants of the survey should be used to improve how the instructions
are made. For findings that included the addition of something into the document, we should add their
suggestion and retest to see if the suggestion was beneficial or not. For the positive feedback, we should
keep those parts of the instructions the same and attempt to match the rest of the instructions to those
standards.

Conclusion

We have taken the results from the usability test and have concluded what needs to be
added/taken away. This includes added specifics that clarify certain steps and another picture
being added in the “Adding the salted peanuts” category. We also now know what areas of the
instructions that should stay the same and may want to be used for future instructions.

Recommendations

We recommend that the following be added to the future instructions.

1) After the “How to Spread the Jelly” section, add a note that provides the text “Now take

the slice of bread with the peanut butter and put it on top of the slice of bread with the

jelly so that the ingredients are combined”.

2) To the right of the text in the “Adding the salted peanuts” section, add a picture of salted

peanuts.

3) Find exact measurements for scoops of peanut butter and jelly instead of approximate

measurements based on the tools used.

4) After the “Gather Materials” section, add a warning box that gives examples of potential

safety hazards.