SEQ vs. SUS: Which Metric Delivers More Impactful Insights?

When designing digital experiences, measuring usability is critical to understanding whether your product meets user needs effectively. Two of the most widely used usability metrics are the Single Ease Question (SEQ) and the System Usability Scale (SUS). While both provide valuable insights, their applications and the kind of insights they deliver differ significantly. In this post, we’ll break down SEQ and SUS, helping you decide which metric best suits your project goals.

What is SEQ?

The Single Ease Question (SEQ) is a task-level usability metric that asks users to rate the ease of completing a specific task on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 is “Very Difficult” and 7 is “Very Easy.” It is simple, fast, and provides immediate feedback on how users feel about individual tasks within a system. For example, after asking users to complete a checkout process, you might ask, “How easy or difficult was it to complete this task?”

Key Benefits of SEQ:

• Focuses on individual tasks, making it ideal for identifying specific pain points.
• Quick to collect and analyze.
• Allows you to monitor usability improvements on a task-by-task basis.

What is SUS?

The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a standardized questionnaire that evaluates the overall usability of a system. It consists of 10 questions, alternating between positive and negative phrasing, rated on a 5-point Likert scale. SUS provides a single usability score between 0 and 100, offering a high-level view of how users perceive the system as a whole.

Key Benefits of SUS:

• Provides a holistic view of a product’s usability.
• Easy to administer and widely recognized, making it useful for benchmarking.
• Covers a broad spectrum of usability aspects, including ease of use, complexity, and confidence.

• Scope of Insights

  • SEQ: Delivers granular, task-specific insights. It’s ideal for pinpointing challenges within a specific flow or interaction.
  • SUS: Provides a broad overview of system usability. It’s better suited for evaluating the overall user experience and comparing usability across different systems or iterations.

• Use Case

  • SEQ: Use SEQ during usability testing when you want detailed feedback on individual tasks. For instance, it’s perfect for testing a new feature like a search function or checkout process.
  • SUS: SUS is more appropriate for gauging the general usability of a product, such as when launching a beta version or comparing multiple design prototypes.

• Ease of Implementation

  • SEQ: Simple and quick to set up, SEQ can be integrated seamlessly into usability testing without adding significant time or complexity.
  • SUS: While still relatively straightforward, SUS requires more time for users to complete since it involves 10 questions. However, it provides richer data for benchmarking.

• When to Use

  • SEQ: During iterative design processes, when you need to optimize specific tasks or identify bottlenecks.
  • SUS: During major milestones, such as before a product launch or after significant updates, to gauge overall usability.

Both SEQ and SUS are powerful tools, but the best choice depends on your goals:

• If you’re troubleshooting specific user flows or want detailed insights into task-level usability, SEQ is your go-to metric.
• If you’re looking for a comprehensive overview of your system’s usability or want to compare your product to industry benchmarks, SUS is the better choice.

For many projects, combining SEQ and SUS can deliver the most impactful insights. Start by using SEQ to identify and resolve task-specific pain points, then use SUS to evaluate the overall system usability once the key issues have been addressed. Together, these metrics provide a well-rounded understanding of how users interact with your product.

Whether you choose SEQ, SUS, or a combination of both, the key is to prioritize user feedback and make data-driven decisions to improve your product. At Madcraft, we specialize in creating user-centered designs informed by industry-leading usability testing techniques. If you’re ready to elevate your digital experience, get in touch with us today—we’d love to help you craft a solution that users love.