Explain the importance of Usability. Define human implication for understanding the usability of computer system during designing phase.

Question

a) Explain the importance of Usability. Define human implication for understanding the usability of computer system during designing phase.

b) You have been assigned responsibility for designing the user interface of a new version of the government web facility for taxpayers, to submit their income tax returns online.

(i) You think that different taxpayers use the online tax return in a number of quite distinct ways. How might you investigate this, and how could you communicate your findings to the development team?

 

(ii) A study of the system data logs shows two surprising patterns of behavior. Some users repeatedly enter different values and then change them, apparently trying out the results. The other pattern includes long pauses between entering each piece of data.

 

How might you account for these two patterns? What usability analysis procedures might you carry out to Improve usability of the system for these two classes of user?

 

OR

 

c) Following description relates to the design of Interactive augmented reality applications.

Consider a future application in which a (static) public billboard/ hoarding is augmented so that people passing in the street can see and modify an enhanced view, for example adding and editing caption text or speech bubbles over their personalized view of the billboard. This augmented functionality will be available either using hand-held mobile devices such as a touchscreen phone, or head-mounted displays such as Microsoft HoloLens. Whichever type of device is used, users should be able to control the application either using hand gestures or gaze control. Discuss the requirements, in your opinion and intuition, which are important in this case.

Human Computer Interaction Course (HCI)

Answer 1

Usability refers to the degree to which a product, system, or service is easy for its intended users to understand, learn, and use effectively. It involves designing products and systems that are intuitive, efficient, and easy to navigate, reducing the likelihood of errors, frustration, and abandonment.

The importance of usability can be seen in various aspects of human-computer interaction:

1. User Experience: Usability plays a crucial role in creating a positive user experience, which can lead to increased user satisfaction, loyalty, and retention.
2. Productivity: Usable systems can help users complete tasks more efficiently, leading to increased productivity and reduced errors.
3. Error Reduction: Usability can help reduce errors, which can lead to cost savings, improved reputation, and reduced liability.
4. Accessibility: Usable systems can be designed to be accessible to users with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and equal access to information and services.
5. Business Success: Usability can contribute significantly to business success by increasing customer satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately, revenue.

Human Implications for Understanding Usability during Designing Phase:

During the designing phase, it's essential to consider human implications to create a usable system. Here are some key aspects to consider:

1. User Research: Conduct user research to understand the target audience's needs, behaviors, and motivations. This can be done through surveys, interviews, user testing, and usability studies.
2. User-Centered Design: Adopt a user-centered design approach, which prioritizes user needs and goals. This involves observing users, gathering feedback, and iterating on designs to ensure they meet user needs.
3. Heuristic Evaluation: Conduct heuristic evaluations to identify potential usability issues and ensure the system meets usability principles, such as visibility of system status, clarity of system status messages, and consistency and standards.
4. User Testing: Perform user testing to validate design assumptions and identify usability issues before the system is released.
5. Empathy and Understanding: Develop empathy and understanding of users' perspectives, pain points, and motivations to create a system that meets their needs and expectations.
6. Contextual Understanding: Consider the user's context, including their environment, culture, and technical skills, to design a system that is accessible and usable in different contexts.
7. Feedback and Iteration: Incorporate feedback from users and iterate on designs to ensure the system is usable, efficient, and effective.

By considering these human implications during the designing phase, you can create a usable system that meets user needs, improves user experience, and contributes to business success.