Design and usability methods and techniques: Difference between revisions

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[http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/methods.htm Usability Net] provides a nice interactive methods table leading to articles of which we reproduce a cropped screen copy below:
[http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/methods.htm Usability Net] provides a nice interactive methods table leading to articles of which we reproduce a cropped screen copy below:


[[image:usabilitynet-methods-table.png|thumb|800px|none|Methods table, Copyright [http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/methods.htm usability.net] 2006, retrieved 18:36, 3 March 2011 (CET). Reproduction permitted provided the [http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/methods.htm original] source is acknowledged.]]
[[image:usabilitynet-methods-table.png|thumb|800px|none|Methods table, Copyright [http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/methods.htm usability.net] 2006, retrieved 18:39, 3 March 2011 (CET). Reproduction permitted provided the [http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/methods.htm original] source is acknowledged.]]


[http://www.usability.gov/methods/index.html Usability.gov] presents a similar table leading to articles. It organizes usability methods according to where they take place in the user-centered design process.
[http://www.usability.gov/methods/index.html Usability.gov] presents a similar table leading to articles. It organizes usability methods according to where they take place in the user-centered design process.


[[image:*|frame|none|Usability Methods table| Source: [http://www.usability.gov/methods/index.html Usability.gov], retrieved 18:36, 3 March 2011 (CET)]
[[image:*|frame|none|Usability Methods table| Source: [http://www.usability.gov/methods/index.html Usability.gov], retrieved 18:39, 3 March 2011 (CET)]


The [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/portal/usability/process/ucdMethods.htm Nasa usability toolkit] includes a (by default copyright-free) table that also is organized by stages.
The [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/portal/usability/process/ucdMethods.htm Nasa usability toolkit] includes a (by default copyright-free) table that also is organized by stages.
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="1b"></a><a href="#1">Brainstorming</a></td>
                       <td>Brainstorming</td>
                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="2b"></a><a href="#2">Card sorting</a></td>
                       <td>Card sorting</td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="3b"></a><a href="#3">Cognitive walk through</a></td>
                       <td>Cognitive walk through</td>
                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="4b"></a><a href="#4">Context of use analysis</a></td>
                       <td>Context of use analysis</td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>


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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="5b"></a><a href="#5">Contextual inquiry</a></td>
                       <td>Contextual inquiry</td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>


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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
<tr>  
<tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="6b"></a><a href="#6">Focus group</a></td>
                       <td>Focus group</td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>


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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="7b"></a><a href="#7">Functionality matrix</a></td>
                       <td>Functionality matrix</td>
                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>


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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="8b"></a><a href="#8">Heuristic evaluation</a></td>
                       <td>Heuristic evaluation</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="9b"></a><a href="#9">Interactive prototyping</a></td>
                       <td>Interactive prototyping</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="10b"></a><a href="#10">Interview techniques</a></td>
                       <td>Interview techniques</td>


                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="12b"></a><a href="#12">Observation</a></td>
                       <td>Observation</td>


                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="13b"></a><a href="#13">Paper prototyping</a></td>
                       <td>Paper prototyping</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="14b"></a><a href="#14">Parallel design</a></td>
                       <td>Parallel design</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="15b"></a><a href="#15">Participatory evaluation</a></td>
                       <td>Participatory evaluation</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="16b"></a><a href="#16">Rapid prototyping</a></td>
                       <td>Rapid prototyping</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="17b"></a><a href="#17">Scenarios</a></td>
                       <td>Scenarios</td>


                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="18b"></a><a href="#18">Storyboarding</a></td>
                       <td>Storyboarding</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="19b"></a><a href="#19">Surveys</a></td>
                       <td>Surveys</td>


                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="20b"></a><a href="#20">Task analysis</a></td>
                       <td>Task analysis</td>


                       <td >X</td>
                       <td >X</td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="21b"></a><a href="#21">User-based testing of design</a></td>
                       <td>User-based testing of design</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="22b"></a><a href="#22">User-based testing of interaction</a></td>
                       <td>User-based testing of interaction</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
                     <tr>  
                     <tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="23b"></a><a href="#23">WAMMI</a> - Web site  
                       <td>WAMMI - Web site  
                         Analysis and Measurement Inventory</td>
                         Analysis and Measurement Inventory</td>


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                     </tr>
                     </tr>
<tr>  
<tr>  
                       <td bgcolor="#cccccc"><a name="24b"></a><a href="#24">Wireframes</a></td>
                       <td>Wireframes</td>


                       <td></td>
                       <td></td>
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</table>
</table>


[Usability Body of Knowledge] includes a the following list of articles:  
[http://www.usabilitybok.org/methods Usability Body of Knowledge] includes a the following list of articles:  
Affinity Diagramming, Brainstorming, Card Sorting, Checklist, Claims Analysis, Context of Use Analysis, Contextual Inquiry, Critical Incident Technique (CIT), Cultural Probe, Diary Study, Ethnography, Field Study, Focus Group, Formative Evaluation, Free Listing, Function Allocation, Heuristic Evaluation, Metaphor Brainstorming, Parallel Design, Phone Interview, Photo Study, Pluralistic Usability Walkthrough, Rapid Prototyping, Rating Scales, Storyboard, Wireframe, Wizard of Oz.
Affinity Diagramming, Brainstorming, Card Sorting, Checklist, Claims Analysis, Context of Use Analysis, Contextual Inquiry, Critical Incident Technique (CIT), Cultural Probe, Diary Study, Ethnography, Field Study, Focus Group, Formative Evaluation, Free Listing, Function Allocation, Heuristic Evaluation, Metaphor Brainstorming, Parallel Design, Phone Interview, Photo Study, Pluralistic Usability Walkthrough, Rapid Prototyping, Rating Scales, Storyboard, Wireframe, Wizard of Oz.


Revision as of 19:39, 3 March 2011

Draft

<pageby nominor="false" comments="false"/>

Introduction

This article will attempt to summarize major design and usability methods and techniques

Taxonomies of design and usability methods

Usability Net provides a nice interactive methods table leading to articles of which we reproduce a cropped screen copy below:

Methods table, Copyright usability.net 2006, retrieved 18:39, 3 March 2011 (CET). Reproduction permitted provided the original source is acknowledged.

Usability.gov presents a similar table leading to articles. It organizes usability methods according to where they take place in the user-centered design process.

[[image:*|frame|none|Usability Methods table| Source: Usability.gov, retrieved 18:39, 3 March 2011 (CET)]

The Nasa usability toolkit includes a (by default copyright-free) table that also is organized by stages.

Tool / Method Requirements & Planning Stage Conceptual Design Stage Test & Evaluation Stage Resources Required Purpose of Method
Brainstorming X LOW Generates design ideas
Card sorting X X LOW Helps structure interface content
Cognitive walk through X X MEDIUM Checks structure and flow against user goals
Context of use analysis X LOW Specifies vital user and product characteristics
Contextual inquiry X MEDIUM Provides information about users' work context
Focus group X LOW Elicits user requirements/views through discussion
Functionality matrix X X LOW Specifies functions required to support tasks
Heuristic evaluation X X LOW Provides expert feedback on user interfaces
Interactive prototyping X MEDIUM/ HIGH Used for testing with users
Interview techniques X X LOW Provides detailed user experience about product usage
Observation X MEDIUM Describes user activity in detail
Paper prototyping X MEDIUM Tests design ideas with users
Parallel design X HIGH Provides one conceptual design idea from several
Participatory evaluation X X MEDIUM Detects task-related usability problems early in design
Rapid prototyping X MEDIUM Allows users to visualize future systems and evaluate
Scenarios X X MEDIUM Illustrates requirements and supports conceptual design
Storyboarding X MEDIUM Visualizes relationship between events and actions
Surveys X X HIGH Provides mass data from users
Task analysis X MEDIUM Analyses current user work in depth
User-based testing of design X MEDIUM Provides recommendations for how a design can be improved.
User-based testing of interaction X HIGH Measures usability and identifies interaction problems
WAMMI - Web site Analysis and Measurement Inventory X LOW Provides an objective way of assessing user satisfaction with a web site
Wireframes X LOW Fast and easy concept prototyping that focuses on layout, navigation and high level content

Usability Body of Knowledge includes a the following list of articles: Affinity Diagramming, Brainstorming, Card Sorting, Checklist, Claims Analysis, Context of Use Analysis, Contextual Inquiry, Critical Incident Technique (CIT), Cultural Probe, Diary Study, Ethnography, Field Study, Focus Group, Formative Evaluation, Free Listing, Function Allocation, Heuristic Evaluation, Metaphor Brainstorming, Parallel Design, Phone Interview, Photo Study, Pluralistic Usability Walkthrough, Rapid Prototyping, Rating Scales, Storyboard, Wireframe, Wizard of Oz.

Links

Standalone introductions

Overview tables and articles

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