AI for Business & Productivity · Intermediate level

Intermediate level · Module 4: Choosing and Evaluating AI Tools · Lesson 2 of 3

Running a Tool Trial

Test tools on real tasks with real users before committing.

In this lesson you will

  • Design a short, fair tool trial
  • Collect quality and time evidence from users

Key concepts

trial designsame tasks for each tooluser feedbackquality ratings

The lesson

Run the same real tasks through each tool, with the people who will use it, for a short period such as one week.

Record time taken including checking, quality ratings and problems. Collect users' views: would they keep using it?

Use free trials or free tiers where available, and do not enter sensitive data during trials of unapproved tools.

Step by step

  1. Choose five real tasks.
  2. Run them in both tools with two users.
  3. Record time, quality and problems.
  4. Collect user feedback.

Practice activity

Run the trial and summarise its results.

Expected result: A trial summary with time, quality and user feedback per tool.

Check your understanding

  1. Why use the same tasks for every tool?

    Show answer

    So the comparison is fair.

  2. What should the time measured include?

    Show answer

    Time spent checking and correcting the output.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.