Validation of a Lightweight Usability and Accessibility Evaluation Method in a Small Software Development Company

Abstract

Usability and accessibility evaluation is essential to ensure that software products are intuitive and available to all users, regardless of their abilities. However, small software development companies face significant barriers to conducting these evaluations due to a lack of resources, specialized personnel and adequate tools. These limitations hinder their ability to implement effective and consistent assessment processes. To address this problem, this study proposes a lightweight method for usability and accessibility evaluation designed specifically for small businesses. This method is characterized by being simple, fast and easy to implement, without requiring the intervention of experts. During its development, adapted templates and questionnaires were designed to evaluate the most relevant aspects of both components. The method was validated through an experiment in a software development company in Popayan, where a structured survey was applied to measure three key elements: feasibility, ease of use and completeness of the method. The results showed that the method is feasible, with clear activities and adequate timeframes; easy to use, thanks to intuitive templates; and complete, addressing all essential aspects of evaluation. However, areas for improvement were identified, such as including percentage feedback on accessibility and refining the documentation. This lightweight approach represents a practical and reusable tool, with the potential to be adopted by small companies, enabling them to improve the quality of their digital products in an efficient way.