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Introduction to Usability and its Importance
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Good morning class! Today we're diving into the concept of usability, specifically as defined by the ISO 9241-11 standard. Can anyone tell me what usability means in their own words?
Isn't usability about how easy something is to use?
Exactly! According to ISO 9241-11, usability is defined as the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily. Letβs break down these terms together. Who remembers the first component?
Effectiveness?
Correct! Effectiveness refers to how accurately and completely users achieve their goals using the product. For example, think of an e-commerce platform; we might measure how many users successfully complete a purchase without errors. Can you see how this would impact user experience?
Definitely, if they canβt complete a purchase, they might not return!
Exactly. Now, what do you think efficiency means in this context?
I think itβs about how quickly they can accomplish their tasks?
Yes! Efficiency measures the resources expended, often in terms of time or mental effort. For instance, fewer clicks to reach a product page means higher efficiency. Lastly, who can explain satisfaction?
That's how enjoyable the experience is, right?
Exactly! Satisfaction reflects usersβ feelings towards the product. Gauging it through feedback allows us to create better user experiences. Great discussion, everyone!
Exploring the Context of Use
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Now, let's delve into the last component: the context of use. Why do you think context is crucial for usability?
Because the same system might work for one user but not another?
Exactly! Different users have different needs. A system that is easy for an experienced professional might be overwhelming for a novice. Whatβs another example of context affecting usability?
A mobile app might be harder to use on a desktop, right?
Absolutely! Context encompasses users, their tasks, tools, and environment. Itβs essential to understand who the product is designed for and how they will interact with it. This allows us to prioritize usability in the design process.
Review and Application of Usability Principles
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Letβs wrap up our session by applying what weβve learned. Suppose we are designing a new app for booking hotels. What components of usability do you think we should focus on?
Effectiveness! We need to ensure users can find and book a hotel easily.
Good point! And what about efficiency?
We should minimize the number of steps to make a booking!
Correct! Lastly, how will we measure satisfaction for our users once they start using the app?
Through surveys and user feedback!
Well done, everyone! Remember, effectively applying these usability components will significantly enhance user experience.
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
This section delves into the ISO 9241-11 standard, elucidating usability's components - effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, and the context of use. Each component plays a significant role in determining how well a product meets the needs of its users, emphasizing the significance of user experience in design.
Detailed
Defining Usability: ISO 9241-11 Standard
Overview
The ISO 9241-11 standard is fundamental in usability engineering, defining usability as the extent to which a product can be effectively utilized by specified users to meet defined goals, emphasizing three key attributes: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction, within the specific context of use.
Key Components of Usability
- Effectiveness: Measures the accuracy and completeness with which users can achieve their tasks. For instance, in an e-commerce context, how many users successfully complete a transaction without errors?
- Efficiency: Refers to the resources consumed in relation to the effectiveness of the achieved tasks. This can include the time taken or the mental effort required to complete a task. For example, measuring the number of clicks needed to reach a product page can quantify efficiency.
- Satisfaction: This is the users' subjective feeling about using the product. It involves their comfort, enjoyment, and pleasure associated with the experience, which can be gauged through surveys and interviews.
- Context of Use: Recognizes that usability is not static; it varies based on user profiles, their tasks, tools, and the operational environment. The same system might be easy for an experienced user but challenging for a novice.
Significance
Understanding these components is vital for developers and designers to create intuitive and user-friendly systems. By prioritizing usability during the design process, products can achieve better user satisfaction and effectiveness.
Audio Book
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Definition of Usability
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The international standard ISO 9241-11 defines usability as 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."
Detailed Explanation
This definition provides a comprehensive look at usability, stating it is dependent on four main components: effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, and context of use. Effectiveness measures how accurately users can complete their tasks, while efficiency looks at the resources they use during this process. Satisfaction addresses how enjoyable or comfortable users find their experience, and context of use acknowledges the environment and tools being utilized.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a recipe app. The effectiveness can be assessed by how many users successfully follow the recipe to prepare a dish. Efficiency can be measured by how quickly a user can find a recipe and gather ingredients. Satisfaction can reflect how much users enjoy the process of cooking with the app. Lastly, the context of use pertains to whether a user is cooking at home with ample tools or outdoors with limited equipment.
Components of Usability
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This definition highlights four crucial components:
β Effectiveness: This refers to the accuracy and completeness with which users achieve their tasks or goals. For example, in an e-commerce website, effectiveness might be measured by the percentage of users successfully completing a purchase without errors.
β Efficiency: This measures the resources expended (e.g., time, mental effort, physical effort) in relation to the accuracy and completeness with which users achieve goals. An efficient system allows users to complete tasks quickly and with minimal cognitive load. For instance, the number of clicks to reach a specific page, or the time taken to fill a form, can indicate efficiency.
β Satisfaction: This encompasses the users' subjective reactions and attitudes towards using the product. It's about how pleasant, comfortable, and enjoyable the experience is. This is often gauged through user surveys, interviews, and qualitative feedback. A high level of satisfaction can lead to user loyalty and repeat usage.
β Context of Use: This acknowledges that usability is not absolute but is dependent on the specific users, their tasks, their tools (hardware, software), and the environment in which they operate. A system usable for an experienced professional might be unusable for a novice, or a mobile app designed for on-the-go use might be cumbersome on a desktop.
Detailed Explanation
The four components of usability are key to understanding how users interact with products. Effectiveness ensures that the product lets users accomplish their goals satisfactorily. Efficiency focuses on how fast and easily they can do this without unnecessary effort or time delay. Satisfaction gauges how users feel about their experience, which can influence their continued use of the product. Finally, context of use emphasizes that the same product can be experienced differently depending on who is using it, how they are using it, and where they are using it.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a navigation app. Users need to effectively reach their destination (effectiveness) without getting lost. The app should allow them to find the fastest route with fewer taps or voice commands (efficiency), and its interface should be easy and enjoyable to use (satisfaction). Moreover, an app that works seamlessly on a phone might not provide the same experience on a tablet due to different handling contexts (context of use).
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
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Usability: The degree to which a product meets user needs effectively.
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Effectiveness: Achieving tasks with accuracy and completeness.
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Efficiency: Completing tasks with minimal resources.
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Satisfaction: Userβs subjective experience with the product.
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Context of Use: Specific conditions affecting user experience.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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In an e-commerce website, usability is high if a large percentage of users successfully complete purchases without errors, indicating effectiveness.
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An app that takes multiple clicks to complete a simple task may be deemed inefficient, adversely affecting user satisfaction.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
π΅ Rhymes Time
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Usabilityβs key is to act with glee, effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction must be.
π Fascinating Stories
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Imagine Sarah, a novice, tries an e-commerce site; she clicks once, then twice, and feels alright. But if it takes ten clicks, her patience might bust; usabilityβs importance is a must!
π§ Other Memory Gems
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Remember EES-C: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Satisfaction, Context of Use.
π― Super Acronyms
H.E.S.I. for usability
- H: is for Help to finish tasks (effectiveness)
- E: for Easy on resources (efficiency)
- S: for Satisfying experience
- I: for all in the right context.
Flash Cards
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Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Usability
Definition:
The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
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Term: Effectiveness
Definition:
The accuracy and completeness with which users achieve their tasks or goals.
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Term: Efficiency
Definition:
The resources expended in relation to the accuracy and completeness with which users achieve goals.
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Term: Satisfaction
Definition:
The users' subjective reactions and attitudes towards using the product.
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Term: Context of Use
Definition:
The specific users, tasks, tools, and environment in which the product operates.