ABSTRACT
What is the value of pilot testing? Pilot testing prior to formal testing can spare you a ton of aggravation and help you identify multiple ways to make test sessions proceed more smoothly and effectively. For example, pilot test results might lead you to change the order of handson tasks to ensure a realistic workflow, adjust how you collect data to ensure completeness and accuracy, and resolve a prototype device’s shortcomings (e.g., fix things that are not working properly). Conducting one or two pilot test sessions just days or even hours ahead of formal testing should suffice.
