Difference between revisions of "Usability"
From GIMP GUI Redesign
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===Aims=== | ===Aims=== | ||
| − | * provide further information | + | * provide further information and understanding in the following areas: |
** users ("who?") | ** users ("who?") | ||
** tasks ("what?", "how?") | ** tasks ("what?", "how?") | ||
** context ("where, when, why?") | ** context ("where, when, why?") | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
===Proposed Method=== | ===Proposed Method=== | ||
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** The author explaining the method in this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4AsxNg9nNU Video] | ** 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] | ** diagrams from the book on [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosenfeldmedia/sets/72157603511616271/ flickr] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Connections to Exsiting Research==== | ||
| + | * using [[User Scenarios]] as a hypothesis for audience segmentation | ||
| + | * [[GIMP UI Redesign#functionality overview|functionality overview]] will be confronted with users' perspective | ||
====details==== | ====details==== | ||
* qualitative method | * qualitative method | ||
* based on open interviews (no questionnaires) | * based on open interviews (no questionnaires) | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
====Course of Actions==== | ====Course of Actions==== | ||
# define audience (already existing: [[user scenarios]]) | # define audience (already existing: [[user scenarios]]) | ||
# recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews | # recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews | ||
| + | #* 4 interviews per audience segment | ||
#* focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users | #* focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users | ||
# analyze results | # analyze results | ||
| − | #* distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into | + | #* distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns |
| − | # create mental | + | #* create graphic of patterns in a mental model |
| − | + | #* oppose mental model vs. planned and existing functionality (gap analysis) | |
| − | #* oppose mental model vs. planned and existing functionality | + | #* adjust user scenarios / audience segments |
| − | #* | + | #* derive stragety for development |
| − | |||
====pros and cons==== | ====pros and cons==== | ||
| Line 41: | Line 38: | ||
** fundamental research, broad focus | ** fundamental research, broad focus | ||
** detailed analysis of users and their tasks | ** detailed analysis of users and their tasks | ||
| + | ** research is built on existing findings | ||
** verification of user scenarios / audience segments | ** verification of user scenarios / audience segments | ||
** based on tasks and behavior | ** based on tasks and behavior | ||
| Line 51: | Line 49: | ||
** no immediate improvements | ** no immediate improvements | ||
** complex method | ** complex method | ||
| + | ** not all existing findings are considered | ||
| Line 59: | Line 58: | ||
** tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users | ** tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users | ||
** justified audience segments based on tasks | ** justified audience segments based on tasks | ||
| − | ** | + | ** gap analysis |
Revision as of 12:27, 26 April 2011
Contents
Aims
- provide further information and understanding in the following areas:
- users ("who?")
- tasks ("what?", "how?")
- context ("where, when, why?")
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
Connections to Exsiting Research
- using User Scenarios as a hypothesis for audience segmentation
- functionality overview will be confronted with users' perspective
details
- qualitative method
- based on open interviews (no questionnaires)
Course of Actions
- define audience (already existing: user scenarios)
- recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews
- 4 interviews per audience segment
- focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users
- analyze results
- distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns
- create graphic of patterns in a mental model
- oppose mental model vs. planned and existing functionality (gap analysis)
- adjust user scenarios / audience segments
- derive stragety for development
pros and cons
- (+) pros
- fundamental research, broad focus
- detailed analysis of users and their tasks
- research is built on existing findings
- 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
- not all existing findings are considered
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
- gap analysis
