Difference between revisions of "Usability"

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Line 29: Line 29:
 
#* distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns
 
#* distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns
 
#* create graphic of patterns in a mental model
 
#* 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
 +
# make use
 +
#* gap analysis (planned and existing functionality vs. users' behavior, needs and tasks)
 
#* adjust user scenarios / audience segments
 
#* adjust user scenarios / audience segments
 
#* derive stragety for development
 
#* derive stragety for development
 +
#* prioritize features (importance vs. feasability)
  
 
====pros and cons====
 
====pros and cons====
 
*(+) pros
 
*(+) pros
** fundamental research, broad focus
+
** fundamental research, broad focus, high-level
 
** detailed analysis of users and their tasks
 
** detailed analysis of users and their tasks
 
** research is built on existing findings
 
** research is built on existing findings
Line 45: Line 48:
  
 
* (-) cons
 
* (-) cons
** fundamental research, broad focus
+
** fundamental research, broad focus, high-level
 
** no immediate improvements
 
** no immediate improvements
 
** complex method
 
** complex method
Line 54: Line 57:
 
* primer (20-40 page pdf about users, tasks, context)
 
* primer (20-40 page pdf about users, tasks, context)
 
* Mental Model Diagram
 
* Mental Model Diagram
** 1 diagram per audience segment
+
** one diagram per audience segment
 
** 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
 
** gap analysis

Revision as of 12:35, 26 April 2011

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

details

  • qualitative method
  • based on open interviews (no questionnaires)

Course of Actions

  1. define audience (already existing: user scenarios)
  2. recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews
    • 4 interviews per audience segment
    • focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users
  3. 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
  4. make use
    • gap analysis (planned and existing functionality vs. users' behavior, needs and tasks)
    • adjust user scenarios / audience segments
    • derive stragety for development
    • prioritize features (importance vs. feasability)

pros and cons

  • (+) pros
    • fundamental research, broad focus, high-level
    • 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, high-level
    • no immediate improvements
    • complex method
    • not all existing findings are considered


Deliverables

  • primer (20-40 page pdf about users, tasks, context)
  • Mental Model Diagram
    • one diagram per audience segment
    • tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users
    • justified audience segments based on tasks
    • gap analysis