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AI Product Tools / MIF Explorer / Library / UX
Truth Layer
MeaningfulLagging Truth Layer
The Truth Layer is the badge system that tells you how trustworthy, directional, or risky a measure is.
Why it matters: It helps teams separate meaningful signals from vanity, misuse, or AI distortion before they optimize the wrong thing.
Example: A metric can be Meaningful, Leading, or Vanity Risk.
System Usability Scale (SUS)
A standardized 10-question survey that produces a composite usability score from 0 to 100.
Evaluation method
SUS algorithm: sum adjusted question scores × 2.5
Signal type
lagging
What it is best for
Benchmarking perceived usability over time
What it tells you +
A reliable benchmark of perceived usability that can be compared across products, industries, and time.
What it does not tell you +
Pinpoint specific usability issues. It measures perception, not observed behavior.
When to use it +
- Benchmarking perceived usability over time
- Comparing before and after a major redesign
- Cross-product or cross-competitor comparisons
When not to use it +
- To identify specific usability problems — it is a general score, not diagnostic
- With fewer than 12 respondents — the score will not be reliable
How leaders misuse it +
- Treating any score above 68 as "good" without checking the industry benchmark
- Using SUS as the only usability metric without behavioral data
- Modifying the questionnaire and still calling it SUS
Anti-patterns +
- Administering SUS without a specific task context, making responses vague
Companion entries +
This entry is stronger when paired with:
Instrumentation or evaluation guidance +
Administer immediately after a task session. Use the standard 10-question format without modification.
Examples +
A B2B SaaS product scores 54 on SUS. After a navigation redesign, the score rises to 72. The 18-point improvement confirms the redesign addressed perceived usability issues.
Suggested decisions +
- Score below 50: serious usability problems. Conduct task-based testing immediately.
- Score 50-68: below average. Identify and fix the top friction points.
- Score above 80: strong usability. Shift focus to engagement and adoption.