30 April, 2005 Usability and User Centered Design

User Centered Design Some Principles: Mold and structure the user interface around how people can, want or need to work. Test the validity of a design in real world tests with actual users. Training & Documentation are no substitute for good design.

Some Principles:

Mold and structure the user interface around how people can, want or need to work.

Test the validity of a design in real world tests with actual users.

Training & Documentation are no substitute for good design.

User Centered Design User Centered Design A Way of Doing Business A Philosophy An Attitude A Focus Embodied in a Methodology UCD has an essential role in customer-centric business practices. All internet, intranet and other IT projects would benefit from the integration of UCD principles.

User Centered Design

A Way of Doing Business

A Philosophy

An Attitude

A Focus

Embodied in a Methodology

How Usability Fits In User Centered Design A Way of Doing Business A Philosophy An Attitude A Focus Embodied in a Methodology Usability THE Measurable Bi-product of UCD Results in Increased Usability

User Centered Design

A Way of Doing Business

A Philosophy

An Attitude

A Focus

Embodied in a Methodology

Usability

THE Measurable Bi-product of UCD

Supporting Usability: The Five Pillars User Centered Design A Way of Doing Business A Philosophy An Attitude A Focus Embodied in a Methodology Supported by 5 Pillars Results in Increased Usability Efficient Easy-to-Learn Effective Error-Tolerant Engaging

User Centered Design

A Way of Doing Business

A Philosophy

An Attitude

A Focus

Embodied in a Methodology

Supported by 5 Pillars

Usability vs. Usefulness Usability ≠ Usefulness Usability, Ease of Use, is the Overall Goal Usefulness/Utility = “Effectiveness”, only one aspect of Usability Results in Increased Usability Efficient Easy-to-Learn Effective Error-Tolerant Engaging

Usability ≠ Usefulness

Usability, Ease of Use, is the Overall Goal

Usefulness/Utility = “Effectiveness”, only one aspect of Usability

Usability is on a Value Scale The usability of a project or product can be expressed as a value on a scale from very poor to excellent . Poor Usability Excellent Usability Results in Increased Usability

The usability of a project or product can be expressed as a value on a scale from very poor to excellent .

Increased Usability - ROI Increased Usability = Increased Productivity Reduced frustration Increased throughput Reduced learning curve Increased uptake Reduced training Reduced support costs Results in Increased Usability Efficient Easy-to-Learn Effective Error-Tolerant Engaging

Increased Usability = Increased Productivity

Reduced frustration

Increased throughput

Reduced learning curve

Increased uptake

Reduced training

Reduced support costs

The UCD Pillars – Varied Emphases Shifting the Weight Different projects will rely to varying extents on each pillar. A consumer-facing site, for example, will require a heavier emphasis on “Engaging”. Results in Increased Usability Efficient Easy-to-Learn Effective Error-Tolerant Engaging

Shifting the Weight

Different projects will rely to varying extents on each pillar.

A consumer-facing site, for example, will require a heavier emphasis on “Engaging”.

UCD and Usability Strategies To practice UCD, we rely on: A solid business case Well-defined use cases (the user’s goals) Accurate user profiles To improve usability, we rely on: Understanding the user Knowing & using standard practices Testing and re-testing Results in Increased Usability Efficient Easy-to-Learn Effective Error-Tolerant Engaging

To practice UCD, we rely on:

A solid business case

Well-defined use cases (the user’s goals)

Accurate user profiles

To improve usability, we rely on:

Understanding the user

Knowing & using standard practices

Testing and re-testing

UCD and Usability Roles To practice UCD, we rely on: A solid business case Well-defined use cases (the user’s goals) Accurate user profiles To improve usability, we rely on: Understanding the user Knowing & using standard practices Testing and re-testing Roles & Responsibilities Business Analyst and UCD Expert Developers Usability Specialist

To practice UCD, we rely on:

A solid business case

Well-defined use cases (the user’s goals)

Accurate user profiles

To improve usability, we rely on:

Understanding the user

Knowing & using standard practices

Testing and re-testing

Mantras “ Test Early, Test Often” “ Documentation, Help Files and Training are No Substitute for Good Usability” Results in Increased Usability Efficient Easy-to-Learn Effective Error-Tolerant Engaging

“ Test Early, Test Often”

“ Documentation, Help Files and Training are No Substitute for Good Usability”