Difference between revisions of "Usability"
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* 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 carefully prepared and carried out. | * Finding the right interview partners is pivotal. Recruiting must be carefully prepared and carried out. | ||
+ | * Recruitment channels can be, but are not limited to the following: | ||
+ | ** GIMP developer mailing list | ||
+ | ** GIMP users mailing list | ||
+ | ** blogs, forums, wikis on GIMP | ||
+ | ** blogs, forums, wikis on high-level photo manipulation | ||
====Ideas for Conducting the Method==== | ====Ideas for Conducting the Method==== | ||
− | Embed an intern via [http://www.openusability.org/ OpenUsability]. | + | * 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. | + | **Valuable help can be provided by the intern before, during and after the field phase, e.g. |
− | * brainstorm ideas for optimal recruiting | + | *** brainstorm ideas for optimal recruiting |
− | * recruit interview partners | + | *** recruit interview partners |
− | * conduct interviews / parallel transcription while interviewing | + | *** conduct interviews / parallel transcription while interviewing |
− | * transcribe and analyze interviews | + | *** transcribe and analyze interviews |
− | * help build the visualization | + | *** help build the visualization |
+ | * Inquire / brainstorm how the research process and it's results can be made transparent for developers / maintainers. | ||
====Deliverables==== | ====Deliverables==== |
Revision as of 14:16, 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.
- Recruitment channels can be, but are not limited to the following:
- GIMP developer mailing list
- GIMP users mailing list
- blogs, forums, wikis on GIMP
- blogs, forums, wikis on high-level photo manipulation
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
- Valuable help can be provided by the intern before, during and after the field phase, e.g.
- Inquire / brainstorm how the research process and it's results can be made transparent for developers / maintainers.
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