Augmenting the Traditional Approach to Usability: Three Tools to Bring the User Back Into the Process

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (17) ◽  
pp. 1053-1057
Author(s):  
David L. Jones ◽  
Roberto Champney ◽  
Par Axelsson ◽  
Kelly Hale
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Additional Structure ◽  
User Input ◽  
Analysis Methods

A primary goal of the usability evaluation process is to create interfaces that can be seamlessly integrated into current processes and create an enjoyable experience for the user. Given this, it is critical to capture user input to effectively drive product development and redesign. While many methods are available to usability practitioners, this paper highlights three techniques that can be used to substantially enhance usability evaluation output. Specifically this paper presents a method to utilize focus groups, emotional profiling and Kano analysis methods in combination to define user needs, expectations, and desires, provide an explanation of why features of a product are liked or disliked, as well as add additional structure to the prioritization of usability shortcomings and related redesign recommendations. A background on each method, the process for implementing them into usability analyses, and guidelines for successful use are provided for usability practitioners.

Online Learning for the Real World

2003 ◽  
pp. 159-176
Author(s):  
Bridget Khursheed
Keyword(s):  
Continuing Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Virtual Classroom ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Course Development ◽  
The Real ◽  
University Of Oxford ◽  
The University

This chapter examines usability evaluation in the context of the Diploma in Computing via the Internet offered by the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education and, to some extent, its on-site course partner. This ongoing online course is aimed at adult non-university (the “real world” of the chapter title) students. The chapter follows the usability evaluation process through the life cycle of course development, delivery and maintenance, analysing the requirements and actions of each stage and how they were implemented in the course. It also discusses how pedagogical evaluation must be considered as part of this process, as well as the more obvious software considerations, and how this was achieved within the course. Finally it draws some conclusions concerning the enhancements to course usability of the virtual classroom and how this atypical evaluation material can and should be integrated into an overall usability evaluation picture.

Integrated Fuzzy Analysis and Group Decision Making Method for Collaborative Product Development

2008 ◽  
Vol 44-46 ◽  
pp. 267-274
Author(s):  
Hao Bo Qiu ◽  
Chao Yong Zhang ◽  
Ping Jiang ◽  
Xin Yu Shao
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Product Development ◽  
Group Decision Making ◽  
Group Decision ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Integrated Product Development ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Fuzzy Similarity ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Process Method

Group decision-making is one of the most important issues in product development. In order to tackle the vague and sometimes conflicting decision data, this paper presents a new approach based on fuzzy similarity and fuzzy compromise to deal with the fuzzy nature of group decisions. In the proposed method, a modified fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process method is used to get the criterion weights, a novel consensus aggregation algorithm is given to obtain the conflict-free results, and an improved compromise decision means is utilized to calculate the utilities of alternatives. Finally an integrated product development solution evaluation process is illustrated as a numerical example, and the corresponding software package is also developed.

Neurotechnologies and Justice by, with, and for Disabled People

2019 ◽  
pp. 615-632
Author(s):  
Sara Goering ◽  
Eran Klein
Keyword(s):  
Development Process ◽  
End Users ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Device Design ◽  
End User ◽  
Disabled People ◽  
User Input

Neurotechnologies under development are often explicitly justified in terms of the advantages they will provide to disabled people. Thus, it would seem important to know what disabled people want from current and future iterations of these technologies and how they experience the functional barriers the technologies are meant to address. Ensuring that disabled people want what is designed requires attention to “end user” needs and values. The paradigmatic form of end user input in device design focuses on device acceptability, usually happens late in the development process, and is oriented to economic viability. But seeking out and taking seriously the perspectives of disabled people (potential end users) should be grounded at least in part by considerations of justice, including both distribution and recognition.

scholarly journals A Formal Protocol to Conduct Usability Heuristic Evaluations in the Context of the Software Development Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.28) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freddy Paz ◽  
Freddy A. Paz ◽  
José Antonio Pow-Sang ◽  
César Collazos
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
Software Development Process ◽  
Software Products ◽  
Software Product

Heuristic evaluation is one of the most used techniques to evaluate the level of usability of a software product. In this research, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the recent studies which report the use of this method in the context of a software development process. The purpose was to identify the specific way in which each author performs this usability evaluation method, in order to propose a formal protocol. After an indeed examination of these studies, we have determined there are several differences in the way this technique is conducted according to the literature. There is no agreement about the number of inspectors that should participate, the usability principles that should be used, the profile of the specialists who must be part of the assessment team, or the evaluation process that should be followed. This work highlights the available settings and a detailed procedure to perform a heuristic evaluation in the domain of software products.  

Defining user needs for an electronic tool to improve chemotherapy-related toxicity management.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 157-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Prince ◽  
Laura Parente ◽  
Anthony Soung Yee ◽  
Melanie Powis ◽  
Katherine Enright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Current System ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Self Management ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Electronic Tool ◽  
Management Advice

157 Background: Cancer drugs are associated with toxicities which can negatively impact patients’ (pts) quality of life, outcomes and increase acute care use (ACU). There is increasing interest in leveraging technology to solve clinical problems in healthcare. We hypothesized that an electronic tool (toxicity module) targeting management of chemotherapy toxicities could decrease ACU by facilitating more effective symptom management. Methods: Participatory design methodology consisting of end user needs assessment through ethnographic field study (shadowing and in-depth interviews) and focus groups was used to inform design of an interactive prototype toxicity module. Oncology pts and their caregivers, and health care providers (HCPs) including oncologists, oncology nurses and primary care providers were included in all stages of development. Contemporaneous notes were taken during ethnography while focus groups were also audio recorded. Thematic analysis through ideation sessions and time-of-day exercises allowed identification of overarching issues. Results: Eight pts and 8 HCPs participated in the ethnographic field study. Two focus groups, one with 7 pts, one with 4 HCPs were held. Most themes were common to both pts and HCPs; gaps and barriers in the current system, need for decision aids, improved HCP communication and options in care delivery, and access to credible information delivered in a timely, secure manner and integrated into existing systems. Additionally, pts further identified missed opportunities, care not meeting their needs, feeling overwhelmed and anxious and wanting to be more empowered; HCPs identified accountability as an issue. These themes informed development of a prototype for a web-based toxicity management tool, which has served the purpose of defining user needs for symptom tracking, self-management advice, and timely communication with an oncology provider. Iterative evaluation over 2 rounds of usability testing is currently underway. Conclusions: An electronic tool that integrates just-in-time self-management advice and oncology provider support into routine care may address some of the gaps identified in the current system for managing chemotherapy toxicity.

Rapidly Deployable Multiprojector Immersive Displays

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Jaynes ◽  
R. Matt Steele ◽  
Stephen Webb
Keyword(s):  
Automatic Detection ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Multiple Cameras ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
User Input ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Communication Models ◽  
Head Mounted Displays ◽  
Rapid Deployment

Immersive, multiprojector systems are a compelling alternative to traditional head-mounted displays and have been growing steadily in popularity. However, the vast majority of these systems have been confined to laboratories or other special purpose facilities and have had little impact on general human—computer and human—human communication models. Cost, infrastructure requirements, and maintenance are all obstacles to the widespread deployment of immersive displays. We address these issues in the design and implementation of the Metaverse. The Metaverse system focuses on a multiprojector scalable display framework that supports automatic detection of devices as they are added/removed from the display environment. Multiple cameras support calibration over wide fields of view for immersive applications with little or no input from the user. The approach is demonstrated on a 24-projector display environment that can be scaled on the fly, reconfigured, and redeployed according to user needs. Using our method, subpixel calibration is possible with little or no user input. Because little effort is required by the user to either install or reconfigure the projectors, rapid deployment of large, immersive displays in somewhat unconstrained environments is feasible.

scholarly journals Analysis of usability evaluation according to the quality standards

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
María de los Ángeles Ahumada-Cervantes / ◽  
Julia Patricia Melo-Morín ◽  
Eric Álvarez-Baltierra
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Software Tools ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
International Organization ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
International Electrotechnical Commission ◽  
Quality Attribute ◽  
Review Of The Literature

This research provides a study of usability as a quality attribute of Web pages, using as a benchmark the requirements that must be followed under the International Organization for Standardization / International Electrotechnical Commission 25000. The methods used to carry out this process are studied, as well as the description of the aspects to be considered for evaluation thereof. It carried out a review of the literature on software tools for measuring the usability of Web pages and disadvantages. The methodology that can be used is determined to perform the corresponding evaluation process and the results are established using a practical case.

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