State Agency Websites

Usability Testing

Idaho Fish and Game vs. Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Claire Cantrell
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Table of Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Methodology………………………………………………………………………………………3
Tasks…………………………………………………………………………………3
Environment…………………………………………………………………………3
Evaluative Criteria…………………………………………………………………..3
Rating Scale…………………………………………………………………………3
Results…………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Results: Colorado Parks and Wildlife………………………………………………5
Task 1: Browse Job Opportunities…………….…………………………5
Task 2: Apply for a Job……………………….………………………….5
Task 3: Find Volunteer Opportunities….….……………….……………6
Task 4: Sign up to Volunteer…………….………………………………6
Task 5: Buy a Fishing License…….……………………………………..7
Task 6: Find Camping Locations and Availability………………………7
Task 7: Determine Regional Fishing Seasons……………………………7
Task 8: Contact Agency with Question…………………………………..8
Task 9: Determine Harvesting Quotas……………………………………….8
Task 10: Find Products for Sale…………………………………………..9
Results: Idaho Fish and Game…………………………………………………….9
Task 1: Browse Job Opportunities…………….…………………………9
Task 2: Apply for a Job……………………….………………………….9
Task 3: Find Volunteer Opportunities….….……………….……………9
Task 4: Sign up to Volunteer………..….………………………………10
Task 5: Buy a Fishing License…….……………………………..……..10
Task 6: Find Camping Locations and Availability………….…………..10
Task 7: Determine Regional Fishing Seasons……………….…………..10
Task 8: Contact Agency with Question………………………………….11
Task 9: Determine Harvesting Quotas……………………………………...11
Task 10: Find Products for Sale…………………………………………11
Conclusions and Recommendations………………………………………………………..……12
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………..13
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………14
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Introduction 8. Contact agency with a specific

question
This white paper describes the findings 9. Determine harvesting quotas for
when comparing the usability of two state fishing or hunting
agency websites. Colorado Parks and 10. Find products for sale
Wildlife and Idaho Fish and Game are
compared in this paper for five different Test Environment:
component standards that define their The testing was done on a MacOS
usability. Sierra laptop computer and Safari was used
as the internet browser. The current websites
were used for both agencies and the test was
Methodology performed midday in a quiet work
environment.
Each website was evaluated with 5 different
Evaluative Criteria:
criteria for 10 different tasks. Using a Likert
1. Efficient: I was able to perform the
scale each criteria was scored on a scale of 1
task quickly.
to 5 with 1 indicating the user strongly
2. Effective: I was able to complete this
agreed with the criteria statement and 5
task.
being they strongly disagree with the criteria
3. Engaging: I enjoyed completing this
statement. Then the total for each task was
task.
calculated. A score of 5 indicates a perfect
4. Error tolerant: When I made a
score with values ranging from 5-25. The
mistake while completing this task I
higher the score, the less usable the website
was able to correct it.
was when performing the task.
5. Easy to learn: I was able to complete
this task without seeking help.
Tasks:
1. Browse job opportunities
Rating Scale:
2. Apply for a job
3. Find volunteer opportunities
4. Sign up to volunteer Strongly Strongly
Agree Disagree
5. Buy a fishing license
6. Find camping locations and 1 2 3 4 5
availability
7. Determine regional fishing season
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Results

Score

Task

Browse job opportunities 5 5

Apply for a job 10 14

Find volunteer opportunities 5 9

Sign up to volunteer 7 17

Buy a fishing license 7 14

Find camping locations and 8 25

availability

Determine regional fishing 7 6

season

Contact agency with a 5 16

specific question

Determine harvesting quotas 15 12

for fishing or hunting

Find products for sale 5 6

Total 74 124

Figure 1: This table gives the score for each agency for each task. The score is the
cumulative sum of all 5 criteria statement scores. A 5 indicates a perfect score. The
greater the score the less usable the website was for completing the task
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Results: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Task 1: Browse job opportunities

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife website toolbar was easy

to navigate and each section was clearly labeled in the
taskbar as shown in figure 1.1.1. The website has a perfect
score in this task because finding the “jobs” page was quick, Figure 1.1.1
engaging, and user friendly. The user is able to look
at jobs by region, job type, or position title (Figure
1.1.2). Once an interesting position is located, the
user can easily view necessary information such as
compensation, location, and the position
background. This seems to be the most efficient way
for users to browse potential job opportunities.

Figure 1.1.2
Task 2: Apply for job

After browsing for job opportunities, the website was

evaluated base on the ability to apply for a job with the
information found on the website. This task scored poorly
because there was no way to apply for jobs from the
website. Many of the positions required contacting
another party to receive more details about application
requirements. An improvement to make this task more
efficient would be an online application portal. This
would allow applicants to apply to multiple jobs of
Figure 1.2.1
interest.
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Task 3: Find volunteer activities

Using the task bar to navigate again, the

volunteer page is easy to find on the agency
website. Once on the page, existing
volunteers can log in to their portals while
perspective volunteers can peruse potential
opportunities. The links are shown in figure Figure 1.3.1
1.3.1. The website received a perfect score
on this section due to its engaging layout and
user friendly format. Images were visually
appealing which helps the site recruit
volunteers for the agency.

Figure 1.3.2

Task 4: Sign up to volunteer

After browsing volunteer opportunities, the

website was then evaluated on the ability to
sign up to volunteer. Each volunteer
opportunity outline specific locations,
description, and recommeneded experience
(Figure 4.1). The website was not able to earn
a perfect score in this task because a portal is
Figure 1.4.1
used to sign up so the task could not be fully
completed. However, this portal seems to be a
good way for the agency to manage
reoccurring volunteers and gives people a way
to engage with Colorado’s parks and wildlife.

Figure 1.4.2
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Task 5: Buy a fishing license

Buying a fishing license was relatively simple

through the agency website. The task bar gives
options to purchase several different types of
licenses online, including a fishing license as
shown in figure 5.1. The task did not receive a
perfect score because it was unable to be Figure 1.5.1
complete due to the online portal access requirements.
However, this portal is efficient for returning costumers and the typical fishing
user.

Task 6: Find camping locations and availability

Figure 1.5.2
Accessed by the taskbar, the website allows the user to
browse camping locations by name or location. The map in
figure 6.1 allows users to browse campsite regionally and
access the necessary information before booking the site.
Finding the locations was easy but checking availability was
difficult. The site was marked down because at times it was
not easy to determine when a site might become available.
Certain camp sites were easier to navigate than others.

Figure 6.1

Task 7: Determine regional fishing

seasons

The website was unable to complete this

task fully because based on the
information located, fishing season
occurs year around. While licenses and
limitations are enforced, the user was
unable to determine if and when Figure 7.1
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restrictions occur. Figure 7.1 shows the pdf detailing Colorado

fishing regulation which states season dates from April 1, 2018-
March 31, 2019.

Task 8: Contact the agency with a question

The agency website had a perfect score for this task because of Figure 8.1
its superior contact page. The “Contact Us” section includes addresses
and phone numbers for state park offices (Figure 8.1) as well as “Submit
your question” link (Figure 8.2). The agency gives multiple options for
contacting a representative. This is an effective and efficient way for
users to complete the task.

Task 9: Determine harvesting quotas

Figure 8.2
The agency website scored low on this task
because it finding harvesting quotas was not
efficient and required several backtracks.
Eventually the pdf shown in figure 9.1 was found,
but searching through the pdf to find the specific
quotas was difficult. The task was not completed
efficiently and it was not user friendly.

Task 10: Find products for sale Figure 9.1

Using the websites toolbar, it was easy to find

products the agency had for sale. The link
brings the user to a retail style page with
different categories and products. It was easy to
find and only took a few clicks on the page. It
was also visually appealing and promoted the
Figure 10.1
sale of their products.

Figure 10.2
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Results: Idaho Fish and Game

Task 1: Browse job opportunities

The website scored perfectly on this task as it was

easy to locate job opportunities for the user. Using
the websites task bar, shown in figure 2.1.1, the
user is able to locate the employment tab which
directs them to a list of different employment Figure 2.1.1
opportunities sorted by employment type. Users
can browse temporary or full time positions based
on their needs. The site was simple to navigate,
easy to learn, and error tolerant.
Figure 2.1.2
Task 2: Apply for a job

Once the user had browsed the job opportunities,

they were able to select a link for the specific job
they were interested in. The “how to apply” page
they were directed to is featured in figure 2.2.1.
However, the task was unable to be completed
because the link was not active. In order for the
agency to successfully recruit applicants they
will need to update the link for the exam and
application. Figure 2.2.1

Figure 2.2.2
Task 3: Find Volunteer Opportunities

The task was not able to be completed because no volunteer

opportunities were listed on the agency website. Only contacts were
listed making another step necessary for someone who seeks to
complete this task. There is an application and service agreement
linked on the website which can be filled out before service. The
agency scored high in the area because the task was not completed
effectively or efficiently.

Figure 2.3.1
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Task 4: Sign up to Volunteer

This task was unable to completed

primarily because of the lack of the
ability to complete task 3. Without
specific volunteer opportunities
available on the website, signing up to
volunteer is near impossible. The
agency does include the application so a use can complete the first step. The Figure 2.4.1
agency might see an increase in volunteers if they had an online system for
new and potential volunteers.

Task 5: Buy a Fishing License

This task scored relatively high because the user

was unable to make it that far in the process due to
an account be needed to purchase licenses.
However, this feature would aide in efficiency for
returning customers because they already have an
account, their information is saved, and they would
be able to get their license faster. To appeal to
more users the agency might consider allowing for
“guest” purchases.
Figure 2.5.1

Task 6: Find Camping Locations and Availability

This task was unable to be completed because the agency website does include any information
about camping in Idaho. While camping may be out of the scope of Idaho Department of Fish
and Game, including camping information on the agencies website could benefit users who seek
to take part in fishing or hunting a camp at the same time.

Task 7: Determine Regional Fishing Season

This task scored low for the agency because the user can
effectively navigate through the website and find the
necessary information to determine fishing season. The
task is engaging for the user and includes helpful
information like the map shown in figure 2.7.1 which
explicitly shows what region the information pertains to.

Figure 2.7.1
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Task 8: Contact Agency with Question

This task was not able to be effectively completed because the agencies
website does not include any information to contact them online or by
email. Contact information is listed regionaly and their headquarter
information is shown in figure 2.8.1. The typical user may benefit from a
way to ask questions online rather than calling an office that may be
closed. Figure 2.8.1

Task 9: Determine Harvesting Quotas

While this task was able to be completed, it was difficult to find

the correct information. Eventaually the user had the search
through the seasons pdf to find the information in image 2.9.1.
Most of the information was vague and would require further
contact with a representative to confirm. Overall completing the
task was time consuming and uninteresting.

Figure 2.9.1
Task 10: Find Products for Sale

This task was easy to complete for the user and scored
almost a perfect score. The task gained a point in
“engaging” because there were not a lot of products for
sale. However, it was easy to find the products and they
were well advertised on the websites home page. This is
beneficial to the agency since it attracts the website user.
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Conclusions and Recommendations

Overall, Colorado Parks and Wildlife scored better during the usability testing. However, the
agencies do have slightly different focuses so it is understandable that they would have different
strengths. In order to improve the usability of both websites, the agencies might consider
incorporating elements that allow the users to complete more tasks within their website. The
Idaho Fish and Game website may benefit from including camping information on their website.
Users searching for camping information would become exposed to the other departments the
agency has to offer.
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Bibliography

“Idaho Fish and Game.” Idaho Fish and Game. https://idfg.idaho.gov

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife.” Colorado Parks and Wildlife. http://cpw.state.co.us

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Appendix
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