Difference between revisions of "Usability"

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** tasks ("what?", "how?")
 
** tasks ("what?", "how?")
 
** context ("where, when, why?")
 
** context ("where, when, why?")
 +
 +
===Connections to Exsiting Research===
 +
* using [[User Scenarios]] as a hypothesis for audience segmentation
 +
** verification
 +
** add detail
 
* using [[GIMP UI Redesign#functionality overview|functionality overview]] as a starting point for  
 
* using [[GIMP UI Redesign#functionality overview|functionality overview]] as a starting point for  
  
===Methods===
+
===Proposed Method===
* interviews
+
* Mental Models by Indi Young
** 4 per audience segment
+
* Further information on this method is available, see:
** open questions, no questionnaires
+
** The book (rosenfeld media) [http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/mental-models/ Mental Models]
** focus: tasks
+
** excerpts available for online reading [http://paperc.de/18382-mental-models-9781457102301#!/pages/1 via paperc] (German website, book in English)
 +
** The author explaining the method in this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4AsxNg9nNU Video]
 +
** diagrams from the book on [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosenfeldmedia/sets/72157603511616271/ flickr]
 +
 
 +
====details====
 +
* qualitative method
 +
* based on open interviews (no questionnaires)
 +
*
 +
** 4 interviews per audience segment
 +
 
 +
====Course of Actions====
 +
# define audience (already existing: [[user scenarios]])
 +
# recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews
 +
** focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users
 +
# analyze results
 +
** distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into a model
 +
# create mental model
 +
** graphical representation of this model
 +
** oppose mental model vs. planned and existing functionality
 +
** gap analysis (which tasks are supported? which not?)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
====pros and cons====
 +
*(+) pros
 +
** fundamental research, broad focus
 +
** detailed analysis of users and their tasks
 +
** verification of user scenarios / audience segments
 +
** based on tasks and behavior
 +
** adaptable / scalable method
 +
** supports strategic vision and long-term development
 +
** revision and clarification of user scenarios
 +
 
 +
* (-) cons
 +
** fundamental research, broad focus
 +
** no immediate improvements
 +
** complex method
 +
 
  
 
===Deliverables===
 
===Deliverables===
Line 17: Line 58:
 
** 1 diagram per audience segment
 
** 1 diagram per audience segment
 
** tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users
 
** tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users
 +
** justified audience segments based on tasks
 
** existing and planned functionality of GIMP
 
** existing and planned functionality of GIMP

Revision as of 12:19, 26 April 2011

Aims

  • provide further information about the following topics:
    • users ("who?")
    • tasks ("what?", "how?")
    • context ("where, when, why?")

Connections to Exsiting Research

Proposed Method

  • Mental Models by Indi Young
  • Further information on this method is available, see:
    • The book (rosenfeld media) Mental Models
    • excerpts available for online reading via paperc (German website, book in English)
    • The author explaining the method in this Video
    • diagrams from the book on flickr

details

  • qualitative method
  • based on open interviews (no questionnaires)
    • 4 interviews per audience segment

Course of Actions

  1. define audience (already existing: user scenarios)
  2. recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews
    • focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users
  1. analyze results
    • distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into a model
  1. create mental model
    • graphical representation of this model
    • oppose mental model vs. planned and existing functionality
    • gap analysis (which tasks are supported? which not?)


pros and cons

  • (+) pros
    • fundamental research, broad focus
    • detailed analysis of users and their tasks
    • verification of user scenarios / audience segments
    • based on tasks and behavior
    • adaptable / scalable method
    • supports strategic vision and long-term development
    • revision and clarification of user scenarios
  • (-) cons
    • fundamental research, broad focus
    • no immediate improvements
    • complex method


Deliverables

  • primer (20-40 page pdf about users, tasks, context)
  • Mental Model Diagram
    • 1 diagram per audience segment
    • tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users
    • justified audience segments based on tasks
    • existing and planned functionality of GIMP