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Usability Evaluation

Week 10 : A Deep Dive into Usability Evaluation

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Introduction to Usability ( What is Usability? )

Usability is all about how users interact with technology, and usability engineering studies the human-computer interface (HCI) in depth.

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Introduction to Usability ( What is Usability? )

Usability is all about how users interact with technology, and usability engineering studies the human-computer interface (HCI) in depth.

Usability is a professional discipline that focuses on improving the usability of interactive systems.

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Introduction to Usability ( What is Usability? )

Usability is all about how users interact with technology, and usability engineering studies the human-computer interface (HCI) in depth.

Usability is a professional discipline that focuses on improving the usability of interactive systems.

It draws on theories from computer science and psychology to define problems that occur during the use of such a system

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

Usability is crucial for the successful implementation of Information Systems because it directly impacts user satisfaction, efficiency, and productivity

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

1. Enhanced User Satisfaction: Improves the overall experience, increasing acceptance and usage.

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

2. Increased Efficiency: Allows users to accomplish tasks more quickly and with less effort.

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

3. Reduced Training and Support Costs: Intuitive systems require less training and fewer support resources

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

4. Improved Productivity: Users work more effectively, contributing to organizational goals

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

5. Lower Error Rate: Well-designed interfaces minimize mistakes and the severity of errors.

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

6. Greater Accessibility: Makes systems usable for a broader range of people, including those with disabilities.

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Introduction to Usability ( importance )

7. Competitive Advantage: Differentiates products in the market, leading to increased customer loyalty and sales.

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Introduction to Usability ( Impact on user experience )

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Introduction to Usability ( Impact on user experience )

Enhanced User Satisfaction: Makes systems more enjoyable and satisfying to use.

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Introduction to Usability ( Impact on user experience )

Improved Efficiency: Users can perform tasks more quickly and with fewer errors.

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Introduction to Usability ( Impact on user experience )

Increased Accessibility: Systems become usable for a wider audience, including those with disabilities.

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Introduction to Usability ( Impact on user experience )

Reduced Learning Curve: Easier for new users to learn and master the system.

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Introduction to Usability ( Impact on user experience )

Better Engagement: A user-friendly system encourages longer and more frequent use.

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Components of Usability

The components of usability for the implementation of Information Systems are primarily focused on making systems logical, effective, and easy to utilize

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Components of Usability

Ease of Use: The system should be easy to understand and navigate.

Figure: Usability - Author: Seobility - License: CC BY-SA 4.0

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Components of Usability

Efficiency: Users should be able to perform tasks quickly.

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Components of Usability

Memorability: Ease of relearning for infrequent users.

After visiting the site, if a user can remember enough to use it effectively in future visits

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Components of Usability

Errors: Minimizing error rates and severity, with clear recovery options.

  • how often users make errors while using the system,
  • how serious the errors are, and
  • how users recover from the errors

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Components of Usability

Satisfaction: The system should be pleasant to use.

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Usability Evaluation Methods

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Usability Evaluation Methods

Usability evaluation methods for information systems include techniques like user testing, where real users interact with the system to identify usability issues

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Usability Evaluation Methods

1. Baseline Testing: Assessing the current system to establish usability benchmarks

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Usability Evaluation Methods

1. Baseline Testing: Assessing the current system to establish usability benchmarks

evaluating a person's current performance or function, or comparing the performance of a system before and after changes

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Usability Evaluation Methods

2. Focus Groups and Surveys: Asking users about their preferences for a new app feature.

Through a focus group, you can learn about users’ attitudes, beliefs, desires, and reactions to concepts.

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Usability Evaluation Methods

3. Card Sort Testing: Users organize topics into categories for a website's layout.

Card sorting is a method used to help design or evaluate the information architecture of a site

business goals, funding, politics, culture, technology, resources, constraints

content objectives, document and data types, volume, existing structure, governance and ownership

audience, tasks, needs, information-seeking behavior, experience

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Usability Evaluation Methods

3. Card Sort Testing: Users organize topics into categories for a website's layout.

Card sorting is a method used to help design or evaluate the information architecture of a site

business goals, funding, politics, culture, technology, resources, constraints

content objectives, document and data types, volume, existing structure, governance and ownership

audience, tasks, needs, information-seeking behavior, experience

a UX research method used to discover how people understand and categorize information

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Usability Evaluation Methods

4. Wireframe Testing: To test flow, users navigate a basic version of a new website/system.

A wireframe is a two-dimensional illustration of a page’s interface that specifically focuses on space allocation and prioritization of content, functionalities available, and intended behaviors

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Usability Evaluation Methods

5. First Click Testing: Observing the first action users take on a redesigned homepage.

First Click Testing examines what a test participant would click on first on the interface in order to complete their intended task.

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Usability Evaluation Methods

6. Comprehensive Usability Testing: Users complete tasks on a site while being observed.

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Usability Evaluation Methods

7. Satisfaction Surveys: Post-interaction survey to rate a user's experience with a system.

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Implementing Usability in System Design

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Implementing Usability in System Design

1. Collecting Feedback: Gathering input from users on their experience.

correlates with Focus Groups and Surveys, Satisfaction Surveys - gathering user preferences and satisfaction levels.

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Implementing Usability in System Design

2. Analyzing Feedback: Identifying common issues and areas for improvement.

aligns with Baseline Testing, Comprehensive Usability Testing - identifying usability issues and areas for improvement from user interactions.

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Implementing Usability in System Design

3. Prioritizing Changes: Determining which changes will have the most impact.

can be informed by outcomes of First Click Testing, Wireframe Testing - deciding which navigational or layout changes are most crucial based on user behavior.

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Implementing Usability in System Design

4. Implementing Changes: Updating the system based on user feedback.

reflects actions taken after Card Sort Testing - updating the system's information architecture or design based on user-suggested categorizations

business goals, funding, politics, culture, technology, resources, constraints

content objectives, document and data types, volume, existing structure, governance and ownership

audience, tasks, needs, information-seeking behavior, experience

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Implementing Usability in System Design

5. Follow-Up Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness of the changes made.

matches with Comprehensive Usability Testing - reassessing the system post-changes to measure impact.

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Implementing Usability in System Design

6. Iterative Improvement: Repeating the process to continually enhance usability.

is a cycle supported by all methods, particularly Satisfaction Surveys, to continuously refine usability based on ongoing user feedback and evaluations.

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User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

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  1. Identify Need: This stage is where Focus Groups and Surveys can help understand what users want and need.

User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

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  1. Identify Need: This stage is where Focus Groups and Surveys can help understand what users want and need.
  2. Specify Context of Use: Baseline Testing can provide insight into how the system is currently used.

User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

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  1. Identify Need: This stage is where Focus Groups and Surveys can help understand what users want and need.
  2. Specify Context of Use: Baseline Testing can provide insight into how the system is currently used.
  3. Specify Requirements: Analyzing Feedback from methods like First Click Testing can clarify what the system must do.

User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

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  1. Identify Need: This stage is where Focus Groups and Surveys can help understand what users want and need.
  2. Specify Context of Use: Baseline Testing can provide insight into how the system is currently used.
  3. Specify Requirements: Analyzing Feedback from methods like First Click Testing can clarify what the system must do.
  4. Produce Design Solutions: This could involve Card Sort Testing and Wireframe Testing to explore potential design solutions.

User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

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  1. Identify Need: This stage is where Focus Groups and Surveys can help understand what users want and need.
  2. Specify Context of Use: Baseline Testing can provide insight into how the system is currently used.
  3. Specify Requirements: Analyzing Feedback from methods like First Click Testing can clarify what the system must do.
  4. Produce Design Solutions: This could involve Card Sort Testing and Wireframe Testing to explore potential design solutions.
  5. Evaluate Designs: Here, Comprehensive Usability Testing and Satisfaction Surveys are vital to evaluate if the design solutions meet user needs.

User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

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  1. Identify Need: This stage is where Focus Groups and Surveys can help understand what users want and need.
  2. Specify Context of Use: Baseline Testing can provide insight into how the system is currently used.
  3. Specify Requirements: Analyzing Feedback from methods like First Click Testing can clarify what the system must do.
  4. Produce Design Solutions: This could involve Card Sort Testing and Wireframe Testing to explore potential design solutions.
  5. Evaluate Designs: Here, Comprehensive Usability Testing and Satisfaction Surveys are vital to evaluate if the design solutions meet user needs.
  6. System Satisfies: Implementing Changes is about updating the system to meet the outlined requirements.

User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

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  1. Identify Need: This stage is where Focus Groups and Surveys can help understand what users want and need.
  2. Specify Context of Use: Baseline Testing can provide insight into how the system is currently used.
  3. Specify Requirements: Analyzing Feedback from methods like First Click Testing can clarify what the system must do.
  4. Produce Design Solutions: This could involve Card Sort Testing and Wireframe Testing to explore potential design solutions.
  5. Evaluate Designs: Here, Comprehensive Usability Testing and Satisfaction Surveys are vital to evaluate if the design solutions meet user needs.
  6. System Satisfies: Implementing Changes is about updating the system to meet the outlined requirements.

User-centered design (UCD) process to usability evaluation

Assignment Week 10: Application of User-Centered Design to Information Systems Project