Tree testing

Tree testing is a method for checking information architecture: users are given a text 'tree' of sections (without design, images, search) and tasks like 'where would you look for X?'. The system records which path they take, whether they find what they need, where they turn the wrong way. This objectively shows whether your structure (948) works or people get lost. Honestly about what exactly is checked, this is key: a tree test checks FINDABILITY in the structure — whether section names are clear and the hierarchy is logical for users. It is deliberately without design and visuals to isolate the structure (beautiful design should not 'mask' bad architecture). It is not a test of design, interface usability or content — only structure/navigation. Honestly about 'one of the methods': a tree test answers 'do people find in the ready structure', while card sorting (957) answers 'how would users group it themselves'. They complement each other in IA validation. A tree test is a structure-hypothesis check, not full UX research. Honestly about 'shows, does not fix': the test reveals where people get lost and which names/groupings mislead, but fixing the structure is separate work (revising IA 948). Honestly about sample and tasks: the quality of conclusions depends on the number of participants and how well tasks reflect real tasks; poorly composed tasks give distorted results. We compose tasks from real scenarios. Honestly about the effect: it gives objective data on whether the structure works before an expensive redesign, but it is structure diagnostics, not a guarantee of the whole product's usability. Honestly about access: the structure (section tree) and access to users are needed. An important boundary: this is a tree test (findability in the structure); IA (design) — 948; card sorting (grouping) — 957; full usability — 953. Picture this: instead of 'hoping the structure is clear' — data on whether people find what they need in it. The base price starts from 18,000 ₽ (depends on the number of tasks/participants).

• It is unclear whether the site structure works for users.
• Suspicion that people get lost in navigation, but no data.
• The structure is changed on intuition, without verification.
• Beautiful design masks that the architecture is confusing.

• Tree test: a text section tree + find tasks
• Recording paths: whether they find, where they turn wrong
• An objective findability check in the structure (948)
• Tasks from real user scenarios
• Honest boundaries (checks the structure, not design; shows, does not fix)
• A link with IA (948) and card sorting (957)
• A report with the structure's problem areas
• Handover and review with you

• Objective data: whether the structure works
• Where people get lost in navigation is visible
• IA validation before an expensive redesign
• Honest boundaries (structure diagnostics; not a whole-UX guarantee)

• We prepare the section tree and tasks from real scenarios
• We run the test, record paths and losses
• We hand over the report, honestly set boundaries (what was checked) with you

• Does a tree test check design and usability?

  No, honestly: a tree test checks exactly FINDABILITY in the structure — whether section names are clear and the hierarchy logical. It is deliberately without design and visuals to isolate the structure (beautiful design should not mask bad architecture). It is not a test of design or content. For checking interface usability as a whole there is usability testing (953) — a different method.

• Will a tree test fix the structure by itself?

  No, honestly: the test reveals where people get lost and which names/groupings mislead, but fixing the structure is separate work (revising information architecture 948). Seeing a problem ≠ fixing it. We give objective data and problem areas, while reworking the structure can be done separately (and re-checked with a new test if desired).

• Is a tree test enough to understand all UX?

  No, honestly: it is one of the methods, checking specifically structure/findability. It answers 'do people find in the ready structure', not all UX. It is complemented by card sorting (957, how users group it themselves) and usability testing (953, interface usability as a whole). We honestly say what a tree test answers and what other methods do.