Difference between revisions of "Usability"
From GIMP GUI Redesign
m (→Thoughts on Conducting the Method) |
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====Course of Actions==== | ====Course of Actions==== | ||
− | # define audience based on [[GIMP UI Redesign#product vision|product vision]] | + | # define audience segments based on [[GIMP UI Redesign#product vision|product vision]] |
− | # set scope | + | # set scope of the interviews |
# recruit interview partners | # recruit interview partners | ||
# conduct interviews | # conduct interviews | ||
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====Recruiting==== | ====Recruiting==== | ||
* The [[GIMP UI Redesign#product vision|product vision]] is used as a starting point to find the right partners (interviewees) for the mental models interviews. | * The [[GIMP UI Redesign#product vision|product vision]] is used as a starting point to find the right partners (interviewees) for the mental models interviews. | ||
− | * Finding the right interview partners is pivotal. Recruiting must be prepared and carried out | + | * Finding the right interview partners is pivotal. Recruiting must be carefully prepared and carried out. |
− | ==== | + | ====Ideas for Conducting the Method==== |
− | + | Embed an intern via [http://www.openusability.org/ OpenUsability] | |
− | * | + | * Valuable help can be provided by the intern before, during and after the field phase, e.g. |
− | + | * brainstorm ideas for optimal recruiting | |
− | * | + | * recruit interview partners |
− | + | * conduct interviews / parallel transcription while interviewing | |
− | + | * transcribe and analyze interviews | |
− | + | * help build the visualization | |
− | ====pros and cons | + | ====Deliverables==== |
+ | * Mental Model Diagram | ||
+ | ** one diagram per audience segment | ||
+ | ** tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users | ||
+ | ** justified audience segments based on tasks | ||
+ | ** gap analysis | ||
+ | ** [[GIMP UI Redesign#functionality overview|functionality overview]] will be confronted with users' perspective | ||
+ | * A primer describing the target audience of GIMP can be derived (e.g. 20-40 page pdf about users, tasks, context; for both new and seasoned developers or interaction / usability contributors) | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===pros and cons=== | ||
*(+) pros | *(+) pros | ||
** fundamental research, broad focus, high-level | ** fundamental research, broad focus, high-level | ||
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** complex method | ** complex method | ||
** not all existing findings are considered | ** not all existing findings are considered | ||
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Revision as of 13:50, 30 May 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
- qualitative method
- based on open interviews (no questionnaires)
- Further information on this method is available, see:
- The book (rosenfeld media) Mental Models
- excerpts available for online reading via paperc (German website, free account required, book in English)
- The author explaining the method in this Video
- diagrams from the book on flickr
Course of Actions
- define audience segments based on product vision
- set scope of the interviews
- recruit interview partners
- conduct interviews
- at least 4 interviews per audience segment
- focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users
- transcribe interviews
- analyze results
- distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns
- create graphic of patterns in a mental model
- oppose mental model vs. existing functionality
- 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)
Recruiting
- The product vision is used as a starting point to find the right partners (interviewees) for the mental models interviews.
- Finding the right interview partners is pivotal. Recruiting must be carefully prepared and carried out.
Ideas for Conducting the Method
Embed an intern via OpenUsability
- Valuable help can be provided by the intern before, during and after the field phase, e.g.
- brainstorm ideas for optimal recruiting
- recruit interview partners
- conduct interviews / parallel transcription while interviewing
- transcribe and analyze interviews
- help build the visualization
Deliverables
- Mental Model Diagram
- one diagram per audience segment
- tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users
- justified audience segments based on tasks
- gap analysis
- functionality overview will be confronted with users' perspective
- A primer describing the target audience of GIMP can be derived (e.g. 20-40 page pdf about users, tasks, context; for both new and seasoned developers or interaction / usability contributors)
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