When procuring software it is essential that UX is properly considered. Our digital platforms and services play a vital role in shaping how students, staff, and members of the public interact with the university. Good UX directly impacts accessibility, inclusivity, efficiency, and satisfaction and ensures our digital products and services:
- are easy to use, reducing frustration and saving time for all users
- are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, ensuring legal compliance and ethical responsibility
- support student success by removing unnecessary barriers to information, services, and learning tools
- improve operational efficiency by reducing support requests, errors, and workarounds
- strengthen our reputation by demonstrating a commitment to high-quality, user-centred services that reflect our values
Defining UX Requirements
In order to achieve the best possible outcome in terms of usability when procuring software, it is vital to articulate our usability requirements in a clear and measurable manner.
For further information, please see our page on UX non-functional requirements.
Questions to ask vendors
Ensure that you properly carefully examine usability considerations such as vendor's commitment and compliance, and documentation and support for a product. Key questions include the simplicity and intuitiveness of the user interface, responsiveness across devices, feedback mechanisms, and compatibility with assistive technologies. You should also address the vendor's accessibility audits, involvement of users with disabilities, compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards, and future accessibility support.
Further guidance is available on our UX questions for SaaS vendors page, which is also available as a word document: UX_questions_for_SaaS_vendors.docx.
Evaluating vendor responses
Evaluating vendor responses about software usability is crucial to ensure the software meets your needs. Here are some tips to help you assess their responses effectively:
- Clarity and detail: Look for clear, detailed explanations. Vague or overly technical responses might indicate a lack of understanding or transparency.
- Real-World examples: Ask for case studies, testimonials or examples of how other clients have successfully used the software. This can provide insights into practical usability.
- Customisation and flexibility: Evaluate how well the software can be tailored to your specific needs. Flexibility in adapting to different workflows is a good sign.
- Feedback mechanisms:strong> Inquire about how they gather and incorporate user feedback. A vendor that actively seeks and acts on feedback is likely committed to continuous improvement.
- Usability testing: Ask if they conduct usability testing and what methodologies they use. This shows their commitment to ensuring the software is user-friendly.
