Human-Centred Testing

Putting people at the heart of software testing to deliver reliable solutions, enhance user satisfaction, and meet real-world needs.

A consultant interviews an end-user of software

Driving better outcomes through people-centric testing approaches user-focused testing. Our Human-centred testing (HCT) model in software delivery focuses on understanding the broader context of user goals, tasks, environments, and constraints – beyond surface-level usability or UX/UI concerns. It draws from psychology, anthropology, and behavioural science to validate not just if a product works, but why it works (or doesn’t) for real people in real contexts.

Key benefits

Catch failures before they go live

Surface real-world breakdowns early – before they become expensive fixes or public issues.

Prioritise what actually matters

Cut noise from the backlog with evidence of what users really need in context.

Delivery software with confidence, not assumptions

Validate product-user fit at every stage, with insight grounded in behaviour – not guesswork.

Capabilities we offer

Early customer and SME engagement

Embeds users early to detect issues, build confidence, and meet success criteria.

Business process driven testing

Aligns testing with real-world workflows, verifying end-to-end business processes.

Quality gates and business demonstrations

Provides fast feedback, builds confidence, and ensures outcomes with inclusiveness

Accessibility and usability testing

Ensures applications meet diverse user needs through thorough testing methods.

Customer interaction testing

Strengthens customer voice in design, resolving issues before system testing.

Training and coaching SMEs

Empowers clients by upskilling SMEs in testing practices and fostering collaboration.

Engagement models

Flexible human-centred testing engagement models to fit your delivery needs.

On-demand talent

Quickly scale your testing capability with Assurity’s cross-skilled professionals and proactive resource coordination.

Our “breathe in, breathe out” model ensures efficient resourcing, backed by an always-on recruitment engine and dedicated resource managers. We embed seamlessly into your teams, offering just-in-time support and knowledge transfer.

Project-based delivery

End-to-end testing tailored to your project’s scope, risks, and delivery goals.

Assurity takes ownership of testing activities, applying risk-based strategies, shift-left practices, and proven frameworks across Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid models. Our consultants bring leadership, adaptability, and a strong track record of delivery success.

Managed services

Outsource testing to Assurity for consistent quality, reduced costs, and continuous improvement.

We provide outcome-focused services using the Assurity Cloud platform, including AutomationFlex and PerformanceFlex. Our managed model combines governance, innovation, and flexibility, trusted by agencies like Stats NZ for long-term quality assurance.

Case studies

New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)

How NZQA confidently passes exams every year with QA & testing

  • Accelerated the process of evaluating complex intertwined systems.
  • Developed innovative approaches to comprehensive testing.
  • Provided real-time, immediate insights on how results and other essential metrics are tracking on public screens.
Read Case Study

Inland Revenue

Amplifying the voice of the customer in IR’s transformation with QA & testing

  • Engaged thousands of end-users and provided detailed management information on customer interaction.
  • Amplified customer participation and awareness of the service outcomes.
  • Identified and implemented significant design changes and positioned IR for positive public feedback.
Read Case Study

Why partner with Assurity?

Pioneering human-centred testing

Assurity leads in embedding people at the heart of testing for better quality outcomes.

Early user inclusion

Embeds business users early to identify issues, build confidence, and de-risk delivery

Outcome-driven strategy

Focuses on usability and aligns testing with real-world needs for higher satisfaction and foster positive adoption.

Collaborative transparency

Promotes collaboration using accessibility and usability tooling accessible tools and business-friendly test methods.

What clients say

“Having the customer’s feedback makes testing more relevant. It’s a powerful tool that keeps us aligned with the customer’s perspective of what we’re doing.”

“Customer-centricity is the ethos we live by at IR. We have a duty of care for every customer and the country itself. With CIT, we get better designs and improved long-term compliance.”

Rogan Clarke

Director of Digital Change, Inland Revenue

“The initial and obvious benefit was acceleration. We are able to onboard new parties rapidly by enabling them to self-service with testing, reducing their need for physical engagement with IRD. Provided with the right information, it makes testing easier for them and for us, so both parties win.”

Chris Hourigan

Business Transformation Test Lead, Inland Revenue.

FAQs

Human-Centred Testing is an approach where Assurity Consulting places you, your customers, and staff at the core of test and assurance solutions. It prioritises the human element in quality assurance, recognising that software is created for and used by people. Assurity has pioneered Human-Centred Design in software testing.

Assurity believes that putting people at the heart of testing introduces a vital perspective often overlooked in quality assurance. Since software is made for people, their human-centred approach ensures systems are of higher quality and tested with real-world users in mind. This philosophy helps clients transform, innovate confidently, and deliver successful outcomes.

The approach actively involves customers, staff, and end-users. Business Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) play a key role in the testing process, with constant engagement to ensure the system aligns with the needs of its intended users.

Assurity embeds customers and Business Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) into testing as early as possible. This early involvement, often referred to as a “shift-left” approach, enables early issue detection, fosters acceptance, and builds confidence in meeting success criteria.

Assurity’s Human-Centred Testing includes:

  • Embedding users early for collaborative testing.
  • Delivering business process-driven analysis and testing.
  • Training and coaching Business SMEs in testing practices.
  • Using collaborative methods, such as Specification By Example (SBE).
  • Leveraging visual management tools for transparency and confidence.
  • Incorporating acceptance testing early in the programme for assured delivery.

This approach delivers higher-quality systems with minimal adverse human impact. It ensures technology solutions align with business needs, maximises value, and reduces risk. By engaging people throughout and focusing on business processes, Assurity provides confidence that the solution will meet success criteria, driving successful outcomes for clients.

Insights