Frustrated by the the Yoga Journal Sequence Builder feature of YogaJournal.com, I took it upon myself to conduct a full usability study of for a class project for my certificate in user experience design. Did this antiquated feature serve users well enough to continue to support it?

The Situation

Yoga Journal’s Sequence Builder is a function on their website that allows users to create personal sequences of yoga poses. They can then print, save or share these sequences. The widget is currently of a different visual design than the rest of the site, and not well marketed on the site. 

TASK

This usability test was conducted to determine whether users find the feature useful, and ultimately whether it should be improved and integrated into future strategy or discontinued.

EXAMPLE

Study Overview

GOALS + OBJECTIVES
  • Determine awareness + findability of the Sequence Builder Function in the Yoga Journal website
  • Determine whether users find the feature useful
  • Observe the pain points of the current sequence building system
  • Determine if additional information or support is needed to allow both amateur and advanced yoga practitioners to benefit from the sequence builder
SCREENER

After reviewing the site’s target demographic, the following criteria were used to select study participants:

  • 18-45, mixed genders
  • Do yoga at least 2x per week
  • Interested in creating their own yoga practice or sequences
  • Own yoga equipment (more committed, may practice at home)
  • Mix of amateur and advanced yoga practitioners
LOGISTICS

Seven tests were conducted both in person and using usertesting.com for remote participation. Each test was no more than 30 minutes.

STUDY TASKS

There were a total of five tasks for each user to complete related to the following feature functions:

  • Navigating YogaJournal.com to find poses
  • Findability of the Sequence Builder (if they didn’t discover in initial task)
  • Usability of the Sequence Builder (pose)
  • Usability of the Sequence Builder (benefit)
  • Saving + Sharing a Sequence

Results

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overall, there are several issues with the sequence builder that need to be addressed – chiefly in appearance, pose findability and optimization – regardless of user.

However, as this study was about whether to continue Sequence Builder or not, I must defer this decision to the type of user Yoga Journal wishes to attract and the money they are willing to spend. It will be relatively easy to make better for intermediate/advanced users, who on the whole like it and find it usable. It will take much more work to make it usable for beginners, who currently hate it and don’t find it the information they need to use it. I would argue, since most of the beginners interviewed stated they learn from classes or already composed sequences, that to redesign for higher level users is sufficient and all that is justifiable.

USER QUOTES
DETAILED FINDINGS

For more detailed findings, please download my full usability report.