UX Alpha Product Testing: Information Architecture and Prototype Testing

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The National Museum of Australia (NMA) is seeking an experienced supplier to undertake two phases of Alpha product testing: comparative Information Architecture (IA) testing, followed by prototype testing of core user journeys.

Purpose

Test results, analysis and findings will inform the information architecture and user experience design of the Museum's new Digital Experience Platform (DXP), a major initiative to rebuild NMA's digital presence and better serve its diverse audiences. The successful supplier's work will support evidence-based design decisions, contribute to compliance with the Australian Government Digital Service Standard, and reduce delivery risk.

Scope

The engagement is focussed on testing and validation activities only. The scope includes:

• Comparative testing of two NMA-provided information architectures to assess content discoverability, navigation effectiveness, taxonomy and labelling (Phase 1, commencing October 2026)
• Recommending the IA that best supports content discoverability and user navigation, and providing recommendations to inform the final IA for the DXP, with findings provided to NMA's in-house design team to support development of interactive prototypes for Phase 2
• Usability testing of NMA-developed prototypes to validate key user journeys and prototype designs (Phase 2, commencing March 2027)
• Providing recommendations to inform design refinement prior to the DXP MVP build
• Recruiting and managing participants where not provided by NMA, in accordance with the agreed Test Plan
• Developing a detailed Test Plan for each phase, including methodology, participant criteria, recruitment approach, testing activities, timelines and reporting arrangements, for approval by NMA
• Facilitating and executing all testing activities for both phases
• Delivering a comprehensive final report for each phase containing findings, insights and actionable recommendations for the NMA Digital team
• Providing all testing outputs generated during the engagement, including discussion guides (scripts and tasks), participant screeners and screening responses (where recruitment services are provided), raw research data, session recordings and transcripts

NMA anticipates testing with audience groups such as repeat visitors, families, interstate visitors and day-trippers, and collection users, with appropriate representation from culturally and linguistically diverse audiences and users with accessibility requirements. Participant cohorts, sample sizes and user journeys will be agreed with NMA during project initiation.

Provided by NMA

• Participants may be provided by the NMA Digital Team through a separate recruitment service, where applicable
• NMA will provide the two IAs for Phase 1 testing
• NMA will provide clickable Figma prototypes for Phase 2 testing; the supplier is not required to undertake design, wireframing or prototyping activities

Information Requested

For both Phase 1 and Phase 2, suppliers should:

• Propose an appropriate methodology, including key tasks/scenarios for testing, recommended participant cohorts and sample sizes
• Provide separate pricing for participant recruitment and management services, noting that NMA may elect to supply participants through a separate recruitment service
• Identify any assumptions underpinning pricing