User Interface Design and Project Management

Usability engineering is the process of basing design on user needs, not technology availability.

When two products have the same functionality, users will choose the one which seems to be more "usable".

What is design?

• Process not a state
• Design process is non-hierarchical
• Design process involves radical transformation
• Involves discovery of new goals

Three Pillars of Design

• Guideline documents and processes
• User interface software tools
• Expert reviews an usability testing

Logical User-Centered Interactive Design (LUCID) Methodology

• Develop project concept
• Perform needs analysis
• Design concepts and key-screen prototypes
• Iterative design and refinement
• Implement software
• Provide rollout support

LUCID requires the following at each stage:

• Product definition
• Business case
• Resource analysis
• Physical environment consideration
• Technical environment consideration
• User needs analysis
• Functionality analysis
• Prototype construction
• Usability assessment
• Design guidelines
• Content analysis
• Documentation, training, help

Ethnographic Observation of Users

• Preparation
• Field study
• Analysis of objective and subjective field data
• Reporting results

Participatory Design

• Advantage: user buy in to final product
• Disadvantages: increased cost and time, alienation of some user groups whose input is not followed

Scenario Construction is similar of OOA/OOD scenario work

Scenario Design Tools

• Tables (e.g. user groups vs user tasks)
• Flowcharts
• Transition diagrams

Social Impact Statement

• Describe new system and its benefits
• Address concerns and potential barriers
• Outline development process

Legal Issues

• Privacy
• Safety and reliability
• Copyright protection
• Freedom of speech