Webcast Q&A: How do you quantify usability in terms of metrics other than user testing?

A webcast viewer asks: I have found when you work for a project based application that Usability is usually overlooked due to the fact that your team is working fast paced through releases. The bulk of the time & resources are dedicated towards coding and testing. On the other hand, when you are working for a product, the timelines usually span multiple quarters. How do you accurately quantify usability in terms of metrics other than user testing?

Usability work is quantified differently in different environments. The value can be proven in conversion (sales), call management time, error rates, training requirements, etc. In most applications it is just silly to charge ahead coding and testing in hopes that it will work from the user’s viewpoint. In fact, good usability work does not take longer! Re-work of unusable designs that fail takes longer.