Section 14.4. Testing Your Form

14.4. Testing Your Form

The final step for any form, whether it's a printed form or computer-based, is to test it in the real world. When you've created a form yourself from the ground up, you probably think everything looks perfectly clear and self-explanatory. But what's clear to you, the creator, may not be clear to someone else.

14.4.1. Testing Your Printed Form

Hand out copies of your printed form to friends and coworkers to fill out. Listen to their questions and see if they fill out everything as you expected. Ask them if there's any way you could change the form to make it easier for them. Do they understand what's being asked for in each field? Is there enough room for them to write in their response? Are there parts of the form that are confusing? Do you need to provide more detailed instructions?

The answers to these questions will help you find the weaknesses in your form as well as places you can make improvements. Then, it's back to Word to make the changes. Ideally, follow all your changes with another round of testing.

14.4.2. Testing Your Computer-Based Form

You need to test your computer-based forms in the same way. But even before you turn your computer forms over to your guinea pigs, you need to test them to make sure everything is in working order. Can you type in the text boxes? Can you choose items from the drop-down lists? Does the protection prevent you from making changes to the permanent text? Is the template working properly, letting you open copies of the document while leaving the original intact?

After you've tested the computer-based form on your computer, copy it to another computer or ask a coworker to test it out. It's important to test your project on several different computers including desktops and laptops and any other device your target audience may use.