In this guide we'll walk through how to run your first pattern test.
You'll be taken to the test creation wizard where you'll set up your test. You can also check out our guide on how to create a pattern test if you need more help.
The test's management page will have everything you need to...well...manage your test.
When you have your patterns in hand and ready for testing, you can link them to the test by uploading them from the Patterns section.
If you have multiple pattern variations (eg. UK and US terms; multiple garment sizes; translations into different languages; etc...) you can create variants for each of these.
Furthermore, you can upload an updated pattern at any time and the system will organise and track each version. This will ensure your testers will be directed to the latest pattern while allowing access to previous versions if necessary.
From this page you're also able to edit your test's milestone dates and any other details you provided during test creation, including photos and additional feedback questions.
Potential testers can apply to your test via the Test Hub.
You may share this link with anyone at any time, although applications will only be accepted by the system from the Applications open date/time through Applications close, as set by you (see above).
Applicants will be prompted to enter their email address and will be shown the relevant test information (such as important test dates, instructions, etc...).
They will be asked to provide their details and other information to help you evaluate them, plus any test-specific details you may require of them.
If the applicant is already known to you (perhaps they had previously applied for another test, or you've manually added them to your list of known testers) the form will not ask them to re-enter their personal details.
The form will display any information/instructions you included in the Application details field during test creation or through the Test details section (see above).
You can customise parts of the application form from your tester application configuration. These customisations will apply account-wide to all of your pattern tests.
It is one single location from where potential testers can apply, and eventually from where your chosen test group can access the test resources, download the pattern and submit their feedback.
Testers/potential testers don't need a user account to access the Test Hub.
From here you can review each of their details as well as any test related preferences they may have indicated in their application.
Known testers, or those with whom you already have a testing history, may already have an assigned rating. This can help you in your assessment when deciding whom to include in your test group.
You can tentatively mark your selections, and can continue to make changes freely until the Tester selection deadline. At this point, your group will be established.
In the near future, you can choose to have Pattern Orchard communicate with testers on your behalf to let them know whether they've been selected for the test group or not. For the time being this feature is not yet available, and Pattern Orchard will NOT communicate with testers on your behalf.
You can still make changes to your test group after the selection deadline. In fact you can do so at any point throughout the test. However adding or removing testers at this stage might mean that they will skip certain processes (such as automatic notifications, test history, ratings etc...) that you might need to take into account.
The testers you selected as your test group (and only they) can access the Test Hub using the email address they provided when they applied for the test.
They'll be able to see all of the test details and dates, as well as any additional information you included in the Tester instructions field during test creation or through the Test details section (see above).
Your patterns will become available for download on the Test start date/time.
Similarly, they'll be able to submit feedback for each pattern variant they test.
You can monitor their progress from the Testing Phase tab, or look at all the feedback per variant from the Patterns section further down.
Those are all the basics you need to know about running a pattern test in Pattern Orchard.
Remember that you can always get in touch with us at any time if you need any help!
Step 1: Create your test
To create a new test, click on New Test under the Pattern tests menu in the top navigation.You'll be taken to the test creation wizard where you'll set up your test. You can also check out our guide on how to create a pattern test if you need more help.
Step 2: Upload patterns & edit test
After creation, you'll be directed to the test's management page. You can also access this from the Current tests item under the Pattern tests menu in the top navigation.
The test's management page will have everything you need to...well...manage your test.
When you have your patterns in hand and ready for testing, you can link them to the test by uploading them from the Patterns section.
If you have multiple pattern variations (eg. UK and US terms; multiple garment sizes; translations into different languages; etc...) you can create variants for each of these.
Furthermore, you can upload an updated pattern at any time and the system will organise and track each version. This will ensure your testers will be directed to the latest pattern while allowing access to previous versions if necessary.
From this page you're also able to edit your test's milestone dates and any other details you provided during test creation, including photos and additional feedback questions.
Step 3: Call for testers
Your test comes with a built-in tester application form.Potential testers can apply to your test via the Test Hub.
You may share this link with anyone at any time, although applications will only be accepted by the system from the Applications open date/time through Applications close, as set by you (see above).
Applicants will be prompted to enter their email address and will be shown the relevant test information (such as important test dates, instructions, etc...).
They will be asked to provide their details and other information to help you evaluate them, plus any test-specific details you may require of them.
If the applicant is already known to you (perhaps they had previously applied for another test, or you've manually added them to your list of known testers) the form will not ask them to re-enter their personal details.
The form will display any information/instructions you included in the Application details field during test creation or through the Test details section (see above).
You can customise parts of the application form from your tester application configuration. These customisations will apply account-wide to all of your pattern tests.
The Test Hub
Each test has its own dedicated Test Hub which acts as a central touchpoint for your test.It is one single location from where potential testers can apply, and eventually from where your chosen test group can access the test resources, download the pattern and submit their feedback.
Testers/potential testers don't need a user account to access the Test Hub.
Step 4: Choose your tester group
As tester applications start coming in, they'll be listed in the Call Phase tab of your test management page.From here you can review each of their details as well as any test related preferences they may have indicated in their application.
Known testers, or those with whom you already have a testing history, may already have an assigned rating. This can help you in your assessment when deciding whom to include in your test group.
You can tentatively mark your selections, and can continue to make changes freely until the Tester selection deadline. At this point, your group will be established.
In the near future, you can choose to have Pattern Orchard communicate with testers on your behalf to let them know whether they've been selected for the test group or not. For the time being this feature is not yet available, and Pattern Orchard will NOT communicate with testers on your behalf.
You can still make changes to your test group after the selection deadline. In fact you can do so at any point throughout the test. However adding or removing testers at this stage might mean that they will skip certain processes (such as automatic notifications, test history, ratings etc...) that you might need to take into account.
Step 5: Run the test and gather feedback
Right after the selection deadline, your test moves into the Testing Phase.The testers you selected as your test group (and only they) can access the Test Hub using the email address they provided when they applied for the test.
They'll be able to see all of the test details and dates, as well as any additional information you included in the Tester instructions field during test creation or through the Test details section (see above).
Your patterns will become available for download on the Test start date/time.
Similarly, they'll be able to submit feedback for each pattern variant they test.
You can monitor their progress from the Testing Phase tab, or look at all the feedback per variant from the Patterns section further down.
Step 6: Close test
After the test period ends, you can tie up loose ends, make last minute adjustments to your patterns if necessary, update your tester ratings and comment on their performance etc...Those are all the basics you need to know about running a pattern test in Pattern Orchard.
Remember that you can always get in touch with us at any time if you need any help!
