Difference between revisions of "Usability"

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===[[Mental Models for GIMP]]===
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===Aims===
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Description of the first mental model project in late 2011.
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* provide further information and understanding in the following areas:
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** users ("who?")
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** tasks ("what?", "how?")
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** context ("where, when, why?")
  
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===[[Mental Models for GIMP as a student project]]===
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===Proposed Method===
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Description of the second Mental Models project of summer 2012.
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* Mental Models by Indi Young
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** qualitative method
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** based on open interviews (no questionnaires)
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* Further information on this method is available, see:
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** The book (rosenfeld media) [http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/mental-models/ Mental Models]
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** excerpts available for online reading [http://paperc.de/18382-mental-models-9781457102301#!/pages/1 via paperc] (German website, free account required, book in English)
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** The author explaining the method in this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4AsxNg9nNU Video]
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** diagrams from the book on [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosenfeldmedia/sets/72157603511616271/ flickr]
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====Connection to Exsiting Research====
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* using [[User Scenarios]] as a hypothesis for audience segmentation
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* [[GIMP UI Redesign#functionality overview|functionality overview]] will be confronted with users' perspective
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====Course of Actions====
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# define audience (already existing: [[User Scenarios]])
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# recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews
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#* at least 4 interviews per audience segment
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#* focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users
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#* transcribe interviews
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# analyze results
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#* distillation of tasks, behaviours and philosophies into patterns
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#* create graphic of patterns in a mental model
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#* oppose mental model vs. planned and existing functionality
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# make use
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#* gap analysis (planned and existing functionality vs. users' behavior, needs and tasks)
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#* adjust user scenarios / audience segments
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#* derive stragety for development
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#* prioritize features (importance vs. feasability)
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====pros and cons====
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*(+) pros
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** fundamental research, broad focus, high-level
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** detailed analysis of users and their tasks
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** research is built on existing findings
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** verification of user scenarios / audience segments
 +
** based on tasks and behavior
 +
** adaptable / scalable method
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** supports strategic vision and long-term development
 +
** revision and clarification of user scenarios
 +
 
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* (-) cons
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** fundamental research, broad focus, high-level
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** no immediate improvements
 +
** complex method
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** not all existing findings are considered
 +
 
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===Deliverables===
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* primer (20-40 page pdf about users, tasks, context)
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* Mental Model Diagram
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** one diagram per audience segment
 +
** tasks organized in "Mental Spaces" of users
 +
** justified audience segments based on tasks
 +
** gap analysis

Revision as of 13:17, 30 May 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
    • 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

Connection to Exsiting Research

Course of Actions

  1. define audience (already existing: User Scenarios)
  2. recruit participants, set scope and conduct interviews
    • at least 4 interviews per audience segment
    • focus: tasks, behaviours and philosophies of users
    • transcribe interviews
  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
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