User Interface Design Process | Interface Analysis | User Analysis

User Interface Design Process

• The user interface analysis and design process begins at the interior of the spiral and includes four distinct framework activities
• (1) Interface analysis and modeling, 
• (2) Interface design, 
• (3) Interface construction, 
• (4) Interface validation. 
• The spiral shown in Figure implies that each of these tasks will occur more than one time…

• Interface analysis : 
• It focuses on the profile of the users who will interact with the system. 
• Skill level, business understanding, and general , different user categories are defined. For each user category, requirements are elicited. 
• The goal of interface design is to define a set of interface objects and actions (and their screen representations) that enable a user to perform all defined tasks in a manner that meets every usability goal defined for the system.
• Interface construction normally begins with the creation of a prototype that enables usage scenarios to be evaluated. 
• Interface validation focuses on 
• (1) The ability of the interface to implement every user task correctly, to accommodate all task variations, and to achieve all general user requirements; 
• (2) the degree to which the interface is easy to use and easy to learn, 
• (3) the users’ acceptance of the interface as a useful tool in their work.

Interface Analysis

• Interface analysis means understanding 
• (1) the people (end-users) who will interact with the system  
• through the interface;
• (2) the tasks that end-users must perform to do their work,
• (3) the content that is presented as part of the interface
• (4) the environment in which these tasks will be conducted.

User Analysis

• Introduction : The following set of questions will help you to better understand the users of a system
• Are users trained professionals, technician, clerical, or manufacturing workers?
• What level of formal education does the average user have?
• Are the users capable of learning from written materials or have they expressed a desire for classroom training?
• Are users expert typists or keyboard phobic?
• What is the age range of the user community?
• How are users compensated for the work they perform? 
• Do users work normal office hours or do they work until the job is done? 
• Is the software to be an integral part of the work users do or will it be used only occasionally? 
• What is the primary spoken language among users? 
• What are the consequences if a user makes a mistake using the system? 
• Are users experts in the subject matter that is addressed by the system? 
• Do users want to know about the technology the sits behind the interface?