Usability testing isn't enough

Usability testing isn’t enough.

Because though “useable” is a must, it isn’t enough.

What you’re designing needs to be used. And it needs to be useful.

“The form tested well with users” - that’s great for users if completing a form is what they are trying to achieve.

It rarely is the bigger task though.

This is why business needs matter too.

Did the form secure the information needed for the business to process the applications?

This is data collection - does the data collected enable the business to answer the questions to be answered, and make the decisions to be made?

If not - then it doesn’t matter a jot how useable the form was.

This is why we say “start small”. After usability testing, actually roll it out to 20-30 humans to see if what they provide on the form gives you what you need. If it doesn’t? Well aren’t you lucky that you didn’t roll it out to millions and have a chance to iterate it (maybe a couple more times).