Chapter 3: Managing Design Processes

• 3.1 Introduction

• 3.2 Organizational Design to Support Usability

• 3.3 The Three Pillars of Design

• 3.4 Development Methodologies

• 3.5 Ethnographic Observation

• 3.6 Participatory Design

• 3.7 Scenario Development

• 3.8 Social Impact Statement

• 3.9 Legal Issues

Introduction• In the beginning, users were geeks too

• Today, most systems are not for geeks

• Designs are improved through– Observation of users

– Careful analysis of user tasks

– Validation of design/ prototype

– Continued user involvement

• Goal should be to accommodate to the user

• Managers must adapt textbook methods to their organization

3.2 Organizational Design and Support Usability

• High Level Commitment • Convince Developers/ Managers• Usability Group/Lab• Role in Project• Tools for Rapid Prototyping • … this chapter focuses on design portion of

project

3.3 The Three Pillars of Design

• Guidelines Documents and Process

• User Interface Software Tools

• Expert Reviews and Usability Testing

Guidelines Documents and Process

• Guidelines not decided in a vacuum

• Living Text

• Levels of Guidelines

• Each project has different needs, but guidelines should be considered for: – Words and icons

– Screen-layout issues

– Input and output devices

– Action sequences

– Training

Words and icons

• Terminology

• Character set, fonts, font sizes, and styles

• Icons, graphics, …

• Use of color, emphasis

Screen-layout

• Menus, form fill-in, and dialog-boxes

• Wording of messages

• White space

• Lists

• Headers and footers

Input and output devices

• Major devices

• Sounds, touch, …

• Response time

Action sequences

• Direct-manipulation

• Commands

• Function keys

• Error handling

Training

• Help

• Training and reference materials

3.4 Developmental Methodologies

• Six Stages of Logical User-Centered Design Methodology (Kreitzberg):

• Stage 1: Develop Product Concept

• Stage 2: Research and Needs Analysis

• Stage 3: Design Concepts and Key Screen Prototype

• Stage 4: Iterative Design and Refinement

• Stage 5: Implement Software

• Stage 6: Provide Roll-Out Support

Stage 1: Develop Product Concept

• Create high concept • Business objectives• Identify team • Identify User population• Prepare project plan• Identify constraints • Develop mockups to show non technical

people

Stage 2: Research and Needs Analysis

• Partition the User Population

• Break Job Activities into Tasks

• Conduct Needs Analysis

• Sketch Process Flow

• Identify Major Objects

• Research and Resolve Technical Issues

Stage 3: Design Concepts and Key Screen Prototype

• Create Specific Usability Objectives• Initiate Guidelines• Select Navigational Model and Design

Metaphor• Identify Key Screens• Develop Prototype of Key Screens• Initial Reviews and Usability Tests

Stage 4: Iterative Design and Refinement

• Expand Key screen prototype

• Conduct Heuristic and Expert Reviews

• Conduct Full Scale Usability Tests

• Deliver Prototype and Specification

Stage 5: Implement Software

• Develop Standard Practices

• Manage late stage change

• Develop online help, documentation, tutorials

Stage 6: Provide Roll-Out Support

• Training

• Logging, Evaluation, Maintenance

3.5 Ethnographic Observation

• Potential Dangers

• Process:– Preparation

– Field Study

– Analysis

– Reporting

Preparation

• Understand organization culture.

• Familiarize yourself with the system

• Set goals and prepare questions.

• Gain access

Field Study

• Establish rapport.

• Observe/interview users in their workplace and collect data.

• Follow any leads.

Analysis

• Compile the data

• Quantify data and compile statistics.

• Interpret the data.

• Refine the goals and the process used.

Reporting

• Consider multiple audiences and goals.

• Prepare report with the findings

3.6 Participatory Design

• More than just requirements and feedback

• Plusses

• Minuses

• Must be managed

• Appropriate level of user involvement could vary

3.7 Scenario Development

• Day-in-the-life scenarios

• Well established systems – can have data about frequencies of different scenarios

3.8 Social Impact Statement

• potential impact on society

• Produced early

• Reviewed by panel and interested parties

• Once approved, should be followed

• At this point, merely a proposal

Social Impact Statement

• Describe the new system and its benefits.

• Address concerns and potential barriers

• Outline the development process.

3.9 Legal Issues

• Privacy

• Safety and Reliability

• Copyright

• Patents

• Freedom of Speech

• Access for Disabled

End Chapter 3