The Assessment Techniques for the Development of the Better User Interface Design - Assignment Example

The Assessment Techniques for the Development of the Better User Interface Design Table of Contents 2. Website selection 2 3. Contextual Inquiry 2 Executive Summary Better user interface design always attracts the users and provides them the feel of easiness regarding the use of system. There are extensive researches have been carried out for the development of better user interface design and working environment. This report will provide a deep insight into the assessment techniques for the development of the better user interface design. 1. Introduction In this state of affairs we have a heavy interaction with the user interface and system design. Only those user systems and working platforms attract us those are based on the user needs, specifications, and interests. This research is aimed at presenting a deep analysis of the user requirements assessment, understanding of users, their tasks, and the environment in which they work. In this report, I will perform a comparison between two techniques for understanding user. These two techniques are contextual inquiry and task analysis. 2. Website selection I have chosen the web site Amazon (www.amazon.com). This is an online ecommerce website that provides the facility to purchase and view all the types of daily used items. Here we can purchase books, electronics, computers, jewellery, spare parts and approximately all the types of daily used items. 3. Contextual Inquiry For the contextual inquiry for the amazon.com we will carry out a comprehensive user experienced based research. Here we will follow the following steps or the analysis of the website. The contextual inquiry will decide the main users of the web and how they will be addressed for the requirements collection (Hom, 2003). After conducting the interview we access the data we gathered and interpret the data for the results analysis (Helander, Landauer & Prabhu, 1997). At the end we make a decision how to operate on results. In this technique we need a user and his devotion to the working. If that user is not devoted to provide information then we have to select diverse classes of the user for contextual inquiry. This is extremely long and user centered method (UsabilityNet, 2006). Strength The main strength of this approach is its deductive approach for the assessment of any problem (Hom, 2003). In our analysis of website (Amazon.com) this approach will extremely helpful regarding the better assessment of main functionality of the Amazon.com. Next main strength of this approach is the incorporation of the both stakeholders in process of the assessment. Here designer or analyzer develops a list of main questions need to ask from the user for the assessment of the system. The user analyzes the system and answer the question in the interview (Hom, 2003). In our website Amazon.com analysis user answers the questions and has a better interaction to the system working and functionalities. This approach of the user experience analysis incorporates complete user experience. In the interview user can answer and also provide valuable information regarding the system designing and analysis. In the website (Amazon.com) analysis we can incorporate the main suggestions form the user experience. User suggestions can help to enhance the overall designing of system (website) (UsabilityNet, 2006). Weakness Contextual inquiry is greatly influenced through the designer and end user. During this analysis the designer develops a questioner for the assessment of the system design. These questions are centred to the design aspects assessed through the designer points of view. The end user only has to the all assessment questions. User personal has no freedom to add or comment the design aspects. In this scenario lot of aspects of the system are hidden from the user point of view (UsabilityNet, 2006). In our Amazon.com website analysis we can develop the questioner that will be asked form the different users. In case some of aspect or not included in the questioner can influence the user. Like there is not question in interview about the web browser support, (or website same functioning on all browsers) but user needs to have this type of functionality also (Hom, 2003). i) Plan contextual inquiry In case of the amazon.com user experience analysis we will perform the research regarding the website working and user performance. ii) Observational notes Here we will ask the user regarding the website working and handling. This interview can be comprised of question like: Website colours- good Website Navigation- Better Easy to use- yes Font- 12 Times Visibility- good Browser support- yes Website Map- yes Search engine- yes Frame based approach- yes Contact us--> Facility- Present iii) Analysis of results In this phase we will analyze the results those are obtained from the pervious research. Here we will allocate some points to each feature of website. If website is having that feature then we will allocate those points to website. At the end add up all the points and take the results. Here we will also compare the results to some other website regarding the better assessment of the website working. iv) Summarization and assessment Here we streamline the entire data and analyze the results. In this phase we have all features of the amazon.com and now we have accessed all the working structure and functionality. So here we will summarize all the results. And conclude that amazon.com is a better working website designed for the effective user experience and working. Here we have main difficulty regarding this approach that is we can not assess the main areas in a detailed way (UsabilityNet, 2006). For this analysis the user interview is conducted and user experience is analyzed. If user provides the inappropriate information then the results of the research can be disturbed. 4. Task Analysis Task analysis presents information of the jobs that the client needs to carry out. For that reason it is a positioned next to the worth of the system purposes as well as features are able to be tested. Task analysis is an extremely time consuming action if utilized by means of an elevated amount of aspects on difficult problems. The technique of the task analysis is connected to a set of directions on how to find the way from point X to point Y. In this way it turns out to be a hierarchical structure that follows predefined commands, here we have a less flexible working structure (UsabilityNet2, 2006). Strength This technique provides a main effectiveness regarding the overall breakdown of the problem. The big problem can be cut down into small fractions and can be analyzed individually. This provides a better way for the solution of complex problems. This technique is really effective for the better and deep analysis of the website usability and effectiveness (UsabilityNet2, 2006). This technique is better for the analysis of the complex type of use projects. In the case of the website (Amazon.com) analysis we can break the whole big task into small workable subtasks. In this way we can have solution of big analysis task by joining all the subtasks (McIntyre, 2004). Weakness The technique also has some of the problems regarding its implementation. In this system we have less response from the user. If designer break the overall structure for the analysis, and analyze the system. In this case he can have some contribution from the system user, so the system analysis turns out to be biased toward the system designer (McIntyre, 2004). In the analysis of website Amazon.com website the web analyzer only incorporates his findings in the results that make the overall system and user needs assessment un-appropriate Here we also have one difficulty regarding this method. Through user experience analysis is complex to implement and it requires accurate task division and analysis. Here we also need to pay attention while the roll-up for subtask for the calculating the main task (UsabilityNet2, 2006). Analysis The phases of the website user experience analysis through task analysis technique we have; i) Task identification ii) Sub-tasking Website Visibility analysis Colours- light (main white, blue) Font (Times) Images (informative) Font size (12) Website navigation analysis Links (working) Informing where we are (given) Website forward and backward links (present) Website user support analysis Website map (yes) Contact us facility (yes) Service center (yes) Search engine (yes) Contact numbers and email address (yes) Usability analysis Design efficiency (yes) Easy to use (yes) Understandable stricter (yes) iii) Analysis iv) Merging Subtasks v) Assessment In this technique we also have few problems. Like in case of task breakdown we can have some factors missed (Helander, Landauer & Prabhu, 1997). If these areas missed during the initial stages of analysis then we cannot analyze that feature for the better working and performance. For this purpose we have to pay attention to process breakdown stage (UsabilityNet2, 2006). 5. Conclusion As technology grows and changes at an escalating speed, HCI turns out to be increasingly important. This paper has discussed two methods for user requirements assessments which are the contextual inquiry and task analysis. Both techniques provide a better way for the handling and assessment of the user needs. After a detailed overview I have found task analysis better than contextual inquiry regarding the user requirements analysis for Amazon.com. The contextual inquiry is a more biased toward the user interview and makes the website analysis harder that task analysis. Table One: Usability Test Plan (to be completed by students) Site URL: www.amazon.com Things to Consider Student Response: Test Goals What will be the focus of the test? How will these issues be addressed during the test? - This test is aimed at assessing the user needs regarding the working and using the www.amazon.com online business website. This test also analyzes the user experience during the website analysis and operations. - Here I address the issues regarding the user interface design working online with this website. I will assess the each aspect of user experience on the website. Mainly the aim of this website analysis is for the website usability analysis. Formative or Summative? Would this be a one-off summative test or would it be iterative (test – feed results into the design and re-test). Please justify your answer - This test was an iterative test in which a few main usability related factors like that colour, user support, search engine facility and frame based approach. The points are assessed through the user needs and working satisfaction. The data from one aspects like website colour scheme and test it for the user working and taken the response. In the task analysis technique the each aspect of website analysis to smaller and more concise factors. In the test we test the system against its qualities and functionalities. In this process we insert our data to the system and check for potential outcomes. In this way another user performs the same test and gives his comment, so this test is iterative in nature. Environment Laboratory or Field? What are the key factors determining choice? What technology is needed? - The test for website analysis is conducted in the lab (computer lab). - This is a website analyses test cannot be conducted outside, because we need internet and computer system for the analysis. - We need an internet connection and computer system for this analysis. Choice of Participants Who should test this site? describe the target user group(s). How many users? - The website tester can be a common user who has interest in online shopping. This man who knows the process of online shopping can help us in this regard. This website would be tested for the assessment of the user needs and satisfaction. I will use task analysis based assessment approach for this website analysis. - Any user who needs an online shopping, or needs to buy any thing from the amazon.com. - The website analysis should be carried out through more than three users. The website by taking the opinion and response of 3 to 4 persons. Test Procedures and Design What are you going to get users to do? What are the key tasks they will perform? Is there an order of importance? How will you conduct the tests? Single users, pairs? What will you record? What are your key measures of usability? Are any specific documents required? (e.g. instructions, consent forms?) If so what are they and why are they needed? - Here in this analysis I will ask the user questions regarding the website working and feature and note down his experience for the website working and performance. User will provide the information regarding his/her satisfaction for the website working and operational support. - Here I will develop a list of main working functionalities and check the response of user against each functionality - No. there is no order is important. This is a website working test we can start from any area and perform the user experience test. Here we have to analyze the website working for the better user expertness, so no order is needed. - This analysis of the website will be carried out with single user at time, after taking his/her opinion we test the website with other user response. - Here I will record and note down the user experience for the better user experience and performance of the website. In this sense I will note down each user experience against the predefined user question regarding usability and performance. - Key measures of usability are user friendly interface, system support, on spot help, easy navigation, better colour and font, effective visibility, search engine support, support for different internet browsers and ease of use. -Yes, we will require the documents for the website analysis. This document will contain the user name, test type, testing date, concerned website, and all the questions we will perform. At the end we will take confirmation from the user for the test. Here we will also require the documents regarding the website usability assessment. The documents are required for designing user friendly interface. References Danino, N. (2001). Human-Computer Interaction and Your Site. Available at: http://www.sitepoint.com/article/computer-interaction-site/ (Accessed: 14 August 2009). Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G., & Beale, R. (1998). Human-Computer Interaction. Hillsdale: Prentice Hall. Helander, M., Landauer, T. & Prabhu, P. (1997). Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Pub Co. Hom, J. (2003). Contextual Inquiry. Available at http://jthom.best.vwh.net/usability/context.htm (Accessed 16 August 2009). Lorenzi, L. (2003). What is HCI? Available at: http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid183_gci213992,00.html# (Accessed 15 August 2009). McIntyre, T. ( 2004). Task Analysis. Available at: http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/EDSPC715_MCINTYRE/TaskAnalysis.html (Accessed 15 August 2009). Usability. (n.d). Conduct Task Analysis. Available at: http://www.usability.gov/analyze/analysis.html (Accessed 18 August 18 2009). UsabilityNet. (2006). Contextual inquiry. Available at: http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/contextualinquiry.htm (Accessed 20 August 2009). UsabilityNet2. (2006). Task analysis. Available at http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/taskanalysis.htm (Accessed 19 August 2009). Read More