User Centered Design  101 An Experience Dynamics training   WEB SEMINAR With Frank Spillers, MS
About Your Speaker Frank Spillers Masters Cognitive Science  10 years User Centered Design experience Founder, Experience Dynamics- leading Usability Design Research firm
Agenda  Is User Centered Design a buzzword, a technique, or a methodology? Why does "UCD" get so much attention? How has it changed how teams approach web application usability efforts? Is UCD right for you? 1. User Centered Design: Evolving from Dot-Com to Web 2.0 2. Why UCD? (Development, Business, Design benefits) 3. Development process: UCD vs. Agile vs. Waterfall 4. Case Studies: User Centered Design success stories 5. Is UCD right for you?: Planning a UCD process for your product 6. Q & A
User Centered Design: Evolving from Dot-Com to Web 2.0
User Centered Design Using  user advocacy  as a means to product development… Grounding requirements and design decision making in  observed behavioral data . For Websites, portals, Intranets. Software, Web applications. Embedded or mobile devices, hardware products. For end-to-end experiences.
Timeline* 1997 2008 2001 2004 A lot of good post-dot com guessing…and heavy sprinkles of usability and UCD… UCD methodology has influenced every aspect of Web design and development in the past 6 years. *Note: This timeline is incomplete and is for illustrative purposes only. Sorry if we left you off!
www.usabilitylabrental.com
in a UCD process Get to know the users Analyze user tasks and goals Establish usability requirements Prototype some design ideas Usability test the concepts Repeat as necessary 6 Basic Steps
Usability is not UCD Usability is a result, a goal, a field (UE, UX) UCD is a methodology Usability is an outcome of UCD practices Let’s make a distinction
International Standards Org ISO 9241-11 (1998) defines usability as an  outcome   “ The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use.” ISO 13407 (1999) defines HCD  as an  approach Human centred design processes for interactive systems  “ Human-centred design is an approach to interactive system development that focuses specifically on making systems usable. It is a multi-disciplinary activity…”
“ Is it possible to win with just usability?” Yes, I think so…but Enterprise level organizations need a  framework   to manage UCD  and adhere to the practice of  user involvement a la behavioral research…  Otherwise techniques get shelved, filed away or move on (with bright stars).
Why does UCD often look diluted, dated, misplaced or weak? Different reasons: Usability consultants or Centers of Excellence like to extend, expand and redefine It is used for different purposes: marketing; PR; promotional reasons Different backgrounds; different disciplines come to UCD practice Not all steps are or can be followed UCD follows organizational buy-in to usability
2. Why UCD? (Development, Business, Design benefits)
Approaches to Design Technology driven Component focus System driven (use cases) Product defect view of quality Focus on system robustness User Centered Design driven Solutions focus (real-world) Scenario driven Task success view of quality Focus on User Interface robustness
Business case for usability Reduce development costs Reduce support costs Reduce documentation time Reduce maintenance costs Increase user satisfaction  Increase user loyalty  Increase user adoption
Web 2.0 case for…(your case here) More compelling user experience Faster application development Usability fixes more elegant More flexibility Better control of presentation layer (UI)
3. Development process: UCD vs. Agile vs. Waterfall
Development methods:  Waterfall: -3-6 month + releases -Requirements definition up front -Sequential process -Used heavily pre-Web -Delay testing to end Agile: -”XP” Extreme Programming -Reduce the cost of change -30 day releases -Include user involvement -Test as you go along UCD: -”Guerilla HCI” -User testing often -Iterative by nature -Rapid (UI) design prototyping -User test anytime
“ Fitting usability in” to Agile Move UCD deliverables to a quarterly management cycle New features and functionality gained from field study and usability tests should be reviewed and prioritized at every new monthly build review meeting
Agile competes with UCD activities (time and attention) Close partnerships are required UCD team needs to debrief and ‘bug-squash’ features  Usability findings should be cascaded into Agile review cycles Issues with Agile
Field Studies= Quarterly usability priority (feed to Agile dev process) Usability Testing= Monthly usability priority (depending on what needs tested, might be small, incremental) Usability Reviews= Can feed into the more narrow "inside a month" cycles.  Agile and UCD
4. Case Studies: User Centered Design success stories
Many Success Stories…
Design an “Information Appliance” ExoBox
Business Objectives It is not a computer Target is  a home environment Reduce fear, increase motivation
User Objectives Support interruptions Don’t make me feel stupid Reduce fear of technology Quick, Effective, Productive Parent Teen/Child Grandparent Friend Shopper...
User Attributes E-mail is a prime motivator Surfing the web, too Familiar with appliances Are fearful of complex technology They don’t want to feel stupid But don’t want to be left behind
Tasks Get a message Prepare a meal Get help with homework
 
 
User Centered Design works better when business models align with end-products.
UCD takes on many interpretations- folklores Usability efforts are stifled by many factors Managers who don’t “get it” IA’s or UX folks who think they “get it” but don’t (or don’t get it enough to convince their boss) Distinction
5. Is UCD right for you?: Planning a UCD process for your product
Usability testing is a good start Expert reviews are politically limited Field studies are easily misinterpreted Once established, Persona Research is vital Ethnography should be embraced Developing personas is valuable  Preparing your organization
Usability Education Research based design Credibility (business team buy-in) Integration (development process) Best practice capture Leadership (and budget) Expertise Building momentum… * * * *
UCD must evolve to meet  market conditions
Agile-friendly!
6. Q & A
thank  you ! 1-800-978-9183 www.experiencedynamics.com Frank Spillers, MS [email_address] Managing with User Centered Design checklist  Incorporating UCD into your product lifecycle: How UCD fits with Agile  Components of UCD Techniques: When to use and NOT to use User Centered Design  Guidance and Advice: how you can learn from best practice  Insider tips for promoting UCD at the team and management level  Q & A  Be sure to catch  UCD 102 on March 21 st  2007  ($125 charge)
About Experience Dynamics:  Experience Dynamics is a professional usability design research firm. Through its User Centered Design services, Experience Dynamics assists organizations with removing the frustration and confusion that plagues most website and software development projects. Companies benefiting from Experience Dynamics actionable usability recommendations include AutoNation, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Verizon, Microsoft, Four Seasons, Washington Mutual, Bank One, Target, Land Rover, Providence Health System and KeyBank. About Experience Dynamics web seminars: Experience Dynamics offers a recurring set of usability web seminars on hot usability topics. The web seminars provide an overview and quick review of key issues and opportunities related to best practices in usability research. The seminars are presented by Frank Spillers, MS, a recognized expert in the field of usability engineering and user experience design. Experience Dynamics seminars are complimentary and are attended by companies including Intel, Citigroup, KeyBank, The Hartford, Fujitsu, Intuit, EMC Corp, Chase, US Bank, Apple, Amazon.com, Business Objects, Mentor Graphics, GM, Toyota and others.

User Centered Design 101 Experience Dynamics Web Seminar 1229121780083642 3

  • 1.
    User Centered Design 101 An Experience Dynamics training WEB SEMINAR With Frank Spillers, MS
  • 2.
    About Your SpeakerFrank Spillers Masters Cognitive Science 10 years User Centered Design experience Founder, Experience Dynamics- leading Usability Design Research firm
  • 3.
    Agenda IsUser Centered Design a buzzword, a technique, or a methodology? Why does "UCD" get so much attention? How has it changed how teams approach web application usability efforts? Is UCD right for you? 1. User Centered Design: Evolving from Dot-Com to Web 2.0 2. Why UCD? (Development, Business, Design benefits) 3. Development process: UCD vs. Agile vs. Waterfall 4. Case Studies: User Centered Design success stories 5. Is UCD right for you?: Planning a UCD process for your product 6. Q & A
  • 4.
    User Centered Design:Evolving from Dot-Com to Web 2.0
  • 5.
    User Centered DesignUsing user advocacy as a means to product development… Grounding requirements and design decision making in observed behavioral data . For Websites, portals, Intranets. Software, Web applications. Embedded or mobile devices, hardware products. For end-to-end experiences.
  • 6.
    Timeline* 1997 20082001 2004 A lot of good post-dot com guessing…and heavy sprinkles of usability and UCD… UCD methodology has influenced every aspect of Web design and development in the past 6 years. *Note: This timeline is incomplete and is for illustrative purposes only. Sorry if we left you off!
  • 7.
  • 8.
    in a UCDprocess Get to know the users Analyze user tasks and goals Establish usability requirements Prototype some design ideas Usability test the concepts Repeat as necessary 6 Basic Steps
  • 9.
    Usability is notUCD Usability is a result, a goal, a field (UE, UX) UCD is a methodology Usability is an outcome of UCD practices Let’s make a distinction
  • 10.
    International Standards OrgISO 9241-11 (1998) defines usability as an outcome “ The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use.” ISO 13407 (1999) defines HCD as an approach Human centred design processes for interactive systems “ Human-centred design is an approach to interactive system development that focuses specifically on making systems usable. It is a multi-disciplinary activity…”
  • 11.
    “ Is itpossible to win with just usability?” Yes, I think so…but Enterprise level organizations need a framework to manage UCD and adhere to the practice of user involvement a la behavioral research… Otherwise techniques get shelved, filed away or move on (with bright stars).
  • 12.
    Why does UCDoften look diluted, dated, misplaced or weak? Different reasons: Usability consultants or Centers of Excellence like to extend, expand and redefine It is used for different purposes: marketing; PR; promotional reasons Different backgrounds; different disciplines come to UCD practice Not all steps are or can be followed UCD follows organizational buy-in to usability
  • 13.
    2. Why UCD?(Development, Business, Design benefits)
  • 14.
    Approaches to DesignTechnology driven Component focus System driven (use cases) Product defect view of quality Focus on system robustness User Centered Design driven Solutions focus (real-world) Scenario driven Task success view of quality Focus on User Interface robustness
  • 15.
    Business case forusability Reduce development costs Reduce support costs Reduce documentation time Reduce maintenance costs Increase user satisfaction Increase user loyalty Increase user adoption
  • 16.
    Web 2.0 casefor…(your case here) More compelling user experience Faster application development Usability fixes more elegant More flexibility Better control of presentation layer (UI)
  • 17.
    3. Development process:UCD vs. Agile vs. Waterfall
  • 18.
    Development methods: Waterfall: -3-6 month + releases -Requirements definition up front -Sequential process -Used heavily pre-Web -Delay testing to end Agile: -”XP” Extreme Programming -Reduce the cost of change -30 day releases -Include user involvement -Test as you go along UCD: -”Guerilla HCI” -User testing often -Iterative by nature -Rapid (UI) design prototyping -User test anytime
  • 19.
    “ Fitting usabilityin” to Agile Move UCD deliverables to a quarterly management cycle New features and functionality gained from field study and usability tests should be reviewed and prioritized at every new monthly build review meeting
  • 20.
    Agile competes withUCD activities (time and attention) Close partnerships are required UCD team needs to debrief and ‘bug-squash’ features Usability findings should be cascaded into Agile review cycles Issues with Agile
  • 21.
    Field Studies= Quarterlyusability priority (feed to Agile dev process) Usability Testing= Monthly usability priority (depending on what needs tested, might be small, incremental) Usability Reviews= Can feed into the more narrow "inside a month" cycles. Agile and UCD
  • 22.
    4. Case Studies:User Centered Design success stories
  • 23.
  • 24.
    Design an “InformationAppliance” ExoBox
  • 25.
    Business Objectives Itis not a computer Target is a home environment Reduce fear, increase motivation
  • 26.
    User Objectives Supportinterruptions Don’t make me feel stupid Reduce fear of technology Quick, Effective, Productive Parent Teen/Child Grandparent Friend Shopper...
  • 27.
    User Attributes E-mailis a prime motivator Surfing the web, too Familiar with appliances Are fearful of complex technology They don’t want to feel stupid But don’t want to be left behind
  • 28.
    Tasks Get amessage Prepare a meal Get help with homework
  • 29.
  • 30.
  • 31.
    User Centered Designworks better when business models align with end-products.
  • 32.
    UCD takes onmany interpretations- folklores Usability efforts are stifled by many factors Managers who don’t “get it” IA’s or UX folks who think they “get it” but don’t (or don’t get it enough to convince their boss) Distinction
  • 33.
    5. Is UCDright for you?: Planning a UCD process for your product
  • 34.
    Usability testing isa good start Expert reviews are politically limited Field studies are easily misinterpreted Once established, Persona Research is vital Ethnography should be embraced Developing personas is valuable Preparing your organization
  • 35.
    Usability Education Researchbased design Credibility (business team buy-in) Integration (development process) Best practice capture Leadership (and budget) Expertise Building momentum… * * * *
  • 36.
    UCD must evolveto meet market conditions
  • 37.
  • 38.
  • 39.
    thank you! 1-800-978-9183 www.experiencedynamics.com Frank Spillers, MS [email_address] Managing with User Centered Design checklist Incorporating UCD into your product lifecycle: How UCD fits with Agile Components of UCD Techniques: When to use and NOT to use User Centered Design Guidance and Advice: how you can learn from best practice Insider tips for promoting UCD at the team and management level Q & A Be sure to catch UCD 102 on March 21 st 2007 ($125 charge)
  • 40.
    About Experience Dynamics: Experience Dynamics is a professional usability design research firm. Through its User Centered Design services, Experience Dynamics assists organizations with removing the frustration and confusion that plagues most website and software development projects. Companies benefiting from Experience Dynamics actionable usability recommendations include AutoNation, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Verizon, Microsoft, Four Seasons, Washington Mutual, Bank One, Target, Land Rover, Providence Health System and KeyBank. About Experience Dynamics web seminars: Experience Dynamics offers a recurring set of usability web seminars on hot usability topics. The web seminars provide an overview and quick review of key issues and opportunities related to best practices in usability research. The seminars are presented by Frank Spillers, MS, a recognized expert in the field of usability engineering and user experience design. Experience Dynamics seminars are complimentary and are attended by companies including Intel, Citigroup, KeyBank, The Hartford, Fujitsu, Intuit, EMC Corp, Chase, US Bank, Apple, Amazon.com, Business Objects, Mentor Graphics, GM, Toyota and others.

Editor's Notes

  • #9 6
  • #36 Barely, hardly, rarely, X, sometimes, X, X