Tree testing: A valuable UX research method

Tree testing is a UX research technique aimed at evaluating the navigational structure of digital products by asking users to find specific items within a sitemap, thus focusing solely on navigation without the influence of design elements. It involves measuring efficiency through success rates and task times to improve user experience, often conducted remotely and unmoderated to keep costs low. This method contrasts with card sorting, which is used to create or refine a sitemap, while tree testing evaluates it in real-world scenarios. The process includes defining user journeys, writing task instructions, identifying and recruiting participants, running the study, and analyzing the data to identify navigation issues. Tree testing is considered an effective way to save costs and enhance the user experience by pinpointing critical navigational problems that may hinder users from completing key tasks, and it works best when preceded by card sorting to establish an effective site structure.