The Wizard of Oz is a research method where a participant interacts with an interface, system or physical object. This system, though, is operated by an unseen person.
1. Select an idea/concept that will be tested. Create the necessary images, videos, animations and elements to do the test.
2. Recruit participants for the test and organize a location, make sure the prototype works. Assign a person as wizard.
3. The wizard hides from view, and observes the user’s actions while making the system react to those actions by triggering the different responses the system should give at that moment in the interaction.
4. Take notes of what works and what does not work while doing the test.
5. Ask participants about their impression of the system and the design. Take notes.
WHEN
When the design has a complex system that needs to be tested quickly.
WHY
Wizard of Oz allows to test complex systems before programming them.
NOTE!
This method must be rehearsed extensively before testing it. If things don’t work as expected, the user will realize that the prototype is fake.
OUTPUT
A test case for future prototypes, and a list of what works and what doesn’t work.
Next
Modify the design according to the results and iterate.
Reference
DAHLBÄCK, Nils; JÖNSSON, Arne; AHRENBERG, Lars. Wizard of Oz studies: why and how. In: Proceedings of the 1st international conference on Intelligent user interfaces. ACM, 1993. p. 193-200. FRICKE, John; STILLMAN, William; SCARFONE, Jay. Wizard of Oz. Warner Books, 1990.