Testing the Limits

When purchasing Command Hooks, there is a maximum rating that is given for how much the hook can hold. While not specified, it is assumed that all the hooks are rated for indefinite use. To test the limits of the hooks, we performed "long term" testing and extreme limit testing. For the long term testing, three hooks of each size were tested with various weights greater than the ratings as seen in the following table.

The results were mixed. All of Jordan and Brennan's hooks held the weight for an entire week before the weight was removed. Kelsey's hooks held the weight for an entire week except the medium plastic hook. The medium plastic hook only held the ten pounds for about two hours. This seems abnormal since Brennan put 10 pounds on the small hook for fun and it held for 75 hours. Reason for the failure can be assumed to be human error in the application of the hook on the wall. While our "long term" testing wasn't very long term, it provided valuable information about the hooks. Depending on the intended length of use, the rating can be greatly exceeded. This information could be helpful if hanging holiday decorations for a short period of time. 

The extreme limit testing was conducted with a fish scale that had a maximum limit of 55 pounds. Two of each kind of hook were applied to the wall for testing. The results are listed in the table along with how they failed, whether both the hook and the strip were removed from the wall or if the hook and the strip were separated with the strip still attached to the wall.

Overall, these results were higher than we had expected. While no one would suggest that it is a good idea to hang 50 pounds on the medium hooks, the results provide information about the specific hooks. These hooks are versatile and the more information about what they are capable of allows for safer use when outside the manufacturer ratings.

Stay tuned!!

Round three of testing will consists of compiling user reviews from websites such as Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Google Shopping, etc. By compiling reviews from actually users all in one place, it may provide more insight into what hook will accomplish your need better. 

"Would you want to step out of the classroom with me for a little bit?"

Round One

With products in hand and a survey created, we were ready to conduct our first round of testing-- User testing/feedback. During class on Friday, June 13, 2014 we pulled various students out of the classroom to perform basic task and then asked them to complete a survey. The results of the survey were:

A scale of 1-5 was used to rate the product with one being "Near impossible," "Couldn't figure it out," "Near impossible," "Can't be reused," and "Doesn't close again" for each of the five categories. A rating of 5 was on the other end of the spectrum being "Extremely easy," "Didn't even look at the instructions," "Extremely easy," "Could reuse as many times as you wish," and "Stays closed like new." While most of the categories were pretty straight forward, the most varied results came from the reusability of the product. It was not specified if the reusability was directed toward the hook itself or the sticky stripe used to attach it to the wall. Since it was unclear, the results may be a little off. The common response we were getting while observing the testing was that the sticky stripes were impossible to reuse, but the hooks could be. 

Overall, the results obtained were very helpful. The testing allowed for some fun times and entertainment. Whether it was a married man asking a female student to step out of the classroom with him for a little bit or the way people tried to rip of the hooks or the rebels trying to attach the hooks to a different surface than instructed, fun times were had while obtaining successful results. The medium plastic hook had the highest overall total score with the other two hooks not far behind. One could surmise that the variation is mostly due to the lack of clarity on the reusability of the product.

Stay Tuned!

Round two of testing will include long term stress tests along with more instantaneous durability testing with fish scales. 

Who, What, When, Where, and Why... and How.

Who: Ryan Bramwell, Kelsey Stuhltrager, Brennan Tekulve, and Jordan Young

What: Product Quality Testing on different command hooks

When: Now... During spring semester in CIT 380

Where: Testing will take place outside of class and even a little in class over a span of about three weeks

Why: A project needed to be undertaken to practice and learn scrum methods for project management. Our group decided to do product quality testing due to interests of all the group members. Various products were proposed to be tested, but command hooks were chosen because of the feasibility of obtaining them and testing them and their common usage.

How: There will be three rounds of testing consisting of usability, quality, and destructive tests. For both usability and quality, simple surveys will be conducted with various audiences. For destructive testing, the products will be tested to compare the loads they can handle to the ratings on the packages.


There isn't necessarily anything we plan to discover in our testing that is new. We just hope to provide more reviews and information to those who may be interested in purchasing command hooks.

Stay tuned for test results!