Difference between revisions of "Usability"
From GIMP GUI Redesign
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===Proposed Method=== | ===Proposed Method=== | ||
* Mental Models by Indi Young | * Mental Models by Indi Young | ||
| + | ** qualitative method | ||
| + | ** based on open interviews (no questionnaires) | ||
* Further information on this method is available, see: | * Further information on this method is available, see: | ||
** The book (rosenfeld media) [http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/mental-models/ Mental Models] | ** The book (rosenfeld media) [http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/mental-models/ Mental Models] | ||
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** 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] | ||
| − | ==== | + | ====Connection to Exsiting Research==== |
* using [[User Scenarios]] as a hypothesis for audience segmentation | * using [[User Scenarios]] as a hypothesis for audience segmentation | ||
* [[GIMP UI Redesign#functionality overview|functionality overview]] will be confronted with users' perspective | * [[GIMP UI Redesign#functionality overview|functionality overview]] will be confronted with users' perspective | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
====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 | + | #* at least 4 interviews per audience segment |
#* focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users | #* focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users | ||
| + | #* transcribe interviews | ||
# analyze results | # analyze results | ||
#* distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns | #* distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns | ||
Revision as of 12:40, 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
- 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, book in English)
- The author explaining the method in this Video
- diagrams from the book on flickr
Connection to Exsiting Research
- using User Scenarios as a hypothesis for audience segmentation
- functionality overview will be confronted with users' perspective
Course of Actions
- define audience (already existing: user scenarios)
- recruit participants, set scope and 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. planned and 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)
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
