V.Ryan © 2025

Evaluating a steady hand game is important for several reasons:

Ensuring Functionality: It confirms that the game operates as intended, with the electrical components working reliably.

Improving User Experience: Evaluation highlights areas where the design can be made more engaging, user-friendly and enjoyable.

Identifying Safety Issues: It ensures that the game is safe to use, with no risks like exposed wires or sharp edges.

Enhancing Durability: Testing its robustness can identify potential weaknesses in materials or construction.

Meeting Audience Needs: Evaluation ensures the game suits the preferences and skill level of the target audience.

Environmental Responsibility: Assesses the sustainability of materials and energy use. Do they aligning with eco-friendly practices.

Refining Cost-Effectiveness: It helps balance quality and affordability, ensuring the product is both appealing and economical.

Incorporating Feedback: Through testing and client input, evaluation fosters continuous improvement for future iterations.

Why does a checklist for all testers to use, when evaluating the steady hand game, have advantages over a general evaluation?

Structure and Organisation: It ensures that all important aspects are reviewed systematically, without missing any of the product’s key features.

Consistency: It provides a standard framework for all to use, making it easier to compare all the completed evaluations.

Clarity: It simplifies the evaluation process by breaking it down into a clear, measurable criteria. Without a checklist, testers / users may miss some of the key features, resulting in incomplete evaluations, that are of limited use.

Efficiency: It saves time by guiding the evaluator / tester through each step of the process in a logical sequence. They all answer the same questions.

Comprehensive Assessment: It covers technical, aesthetic and functional elements, ensuring a holistic evaluation.

Transparency: It makes the evaluation process more objective and easier to communicate the findings with clients or stakeholders.

1. Functionality
Does the LED activate when the wand touches the wire?
Is the circuit reliable without intermittent issues?

2. Aesthetics
Is the game visually appealing and aligned with its theme?
Does the design attract the intended audience?

3. User Experience
Is the game easy to understand and play?
Does the game provide an appropriate level of challenge?

4. Durability
Is the structure sturdy and built to last through repeated use?
Are the components securely attached?

5. Safety
Are all wires and components insulated and safe to touch?
Is there minimal risk of sharp edges or other hazards?

6. Target Audience Fit
Does the design suit the age group and preferences of the audience?

7. Cost-Effectiveness
Was the game affordable to produce whilst maintaining quality?
Is it priced reasonably for its value?

8. Sustainability
Were recycled or eco-friendly materials used?
Is it designed for easy repair or recycling at the end of its life?

9. Testing and Feedback
Were users consulted during prototyping and were their suggestions implemented?
Were all features thoroughly tested before finalising the product?

1. Functionality
The LED appears to light immediately, when the wand touches the wire. It can be clearly seen when illuminated.

2. Aesthetics
The design is interesting and functional. It could benefit from more visual appeal, such as an alternative theme or vibrant colours, to make it more engaging.

3. User Experience
The game has been criticised for being straightforward. However, it provides an appropriate challenge level. Adding more interactive elements could enhance the user experience.

4. Durability
The components appear soldered securely to the circuit board. It has been tested robustly by several potential clients.

5. Safety
The wires are insulated and there are no visible sharp edges, which is good for safety. The casing for the circuit components prevents the user coming in contact with components.

6. Target Audience Fit
The design suits a general audience, but could be tailored further (e.g. adding a theme for kids or a more sophisticated style for adults).

7. Cost-Effectiveness
The materials are relatively inexpensive, suggesting a cost-effective design. Production costs will be reduced further, when mass manufacture begins.

8. Sustainability
Recycled and eco-friendly materials have been used, improving the products environmental impact.

9. Testing and Feedback
Testing by a number of potential clients has been positive. Some suggestions regarding improvements will be made (see above).