Usability Spotlight: Innovating Femtech with Usability at the Core

Usability Spotlight – a monthly series dedicated to different topics in usability, featuring our team's expertise, interviews, and case study-based insights.

In the evolving landscape of femtech, usability is more than just a feature; it is a cornerstone of effective product development. When it comes to creating innovative medical devices tailored to women's health, understanding how users interact with a product is crucial. One of our team members sheds light on the journey of developing a femtech device and the role of structured usability studies in refining its design.

Beyond Design Details: Exploring the Concept

‘’You can get usability studies that focus on specific elements—like the design of a handle and how it impacts user interaction—or broader studies that assess the overall concept of a product," says Bob Turner, one of our team members who is currently working on a femtech product. With this particular project, the team was at the concept exploration stage rather than refining design details. This meant gathering holistic feedback on the overarching idea rather than specific mechanics.

The Spectrum of Prototyping: From Foam to Functionality

Prototyping is not a one-size-fits-all process. It spans a spectrum from low-fidelity to high-fidelity models, each serving a unique purpose. "Low-fidelity prototypes are quick and simple to create—things like cardboard models or foam shapes. They don’t function like the final product but help gauge user interaction," explains our team. For this project, the team simulated motor-driven actions manually, akin to theatrical props designed to create a believable illusion.

This hands-on approach allows developers to gather insights without the distraction of polished aesthetics. By focusing on broad interaction patterns, teams can adjust core functionalities before moving to high-fidelity iterations.

Structured Feedback with the LUMA Framework

A key component of the usability study was the LUMA framework, a structured approach to design research. After collecting questionnaire responses and reviewing video footage, the team extracted key observations and documented each as a separate note on a digital collaborative whiteboard.

"We clustered similar comments into themes. For instance, feedback about securing the device was grouped together, as was feedback about twisting motions," recounts our team. This method of clustering insights creates a visual map of usability challenges and opportunities.

Rose, Thorn, Bud: Colour-Coding for Clarity

To further distil feedback, you can also use the 'Rose, Thorn, Bud' method:

Rose (Green): Positive aspects users liked Thorn (Red): Negative aspects that posed challenges Bud (Blue): Opportunities for improvement or innovation

Visually organising feedback this way can help your team to identify key problem areas. Grouping feedback into these categories revealed patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Framing the Challenges: How Might We?

From the clustered feedback, the team crafted 'How Might We' statements to frame design challenges:

How might we make securing the device easier for the end user? How might we enable one-handed operation? How might we ensure the user can remain seated throughout the interaction?

These statements transformed broad insights into actionable challenges, guiding the next phase of prototype development. This is just an example for a non-specific device, but you and your team can incorporate your own version of ‘How might we?’

From Insights to Implementation

The final step was integrating these insights into a traceability matrix, connecting user feedback to formal requirements. "If a common issue is device usability while seated, we translate that into a requirement: For example, 'The device must be operable from a certain position,'" explains our team.

This systematic approach ensures that every piece of feedback has a tangible impact on the final product. Whether it leads to another round of testing with a different user group or a refined prototype with enhanced functionalities, each step brings the device closer to meeting real-world needs.

Usability as a Continuous Journey

In the medical device design world, usability is not a one-time checkpoint; it is a continuous journey. By starting with low-fidelity prototypes, gathering broad insights, and gradually refining design elements, teams can build devices that not only function well but also resonate with users.

Through structured usability studies, innovative frameworks, and methods, your team can truly demonstrate that thoughtful design is rooted in understanding real user experiences.