[chisigmail] Results from: User-Centred Design methodologies & tools

[Sandrine Balbo]

Dear all, 

First thanks to Karsten Nebe, Steve Roberts, Janine Wood and Ash Donaldson
for replying to this strange query. First I owe you an explanation on why I
had this request, and then I'll list the results. I intentionally didn't
define what I meant by tool or methodology.

I'm currently developing a new subject that is called: Business Analysis
Modelling and Design (no Ash, this is not for Wendy Elford's paper). The
objective of the subject is to introduce the students to the various kind of
models to model process/interaction/data when developing an Information
system... But then, I realised I've always been very relaxed on what I call
a tool, a technique, a method or a methodology; this is the difference you
have between the task model (a tool or technique), the task analysis (a
method) and UCD (a methodology). The responses I got do indeed also
highlight this bigger question. So, here are the answers I received. I tried
to remain as close to possible to the category that they were placed under
(and hence some repetitions along the way).
 

--- We use:
Personas
Use Cases
UI-Specifications 
Prototypes in terms of artifacts

Users
Pen and paper
PC
PowerPoint for interactive prototyping and even specify the UI
Dedicated observation lab
Have performed remote usability using teleconference and SameTime -instant
messaging system with online meeting and desktop sharing capability.
Whiteboard capturing tool
Type of card sorting technique combined with whiteboard
Online survey to obtain feedback and user requirements.

W3C guidelines and checklist to ensure UCD caters for "Accessibility" needs

Contextual Inquiry 
User Needs Analysis
User Profile or Persona modelling
Expert Usability Reviews - including heuristic analysis
Usability Testing - in lab sometimes using Morae and Tobii Eye Tracking
Design workshops 
Wireframing 
Interaction flowcharting
Paper prototyping (and some next level protoype demos with minor
interaction) 

--- Physical Tools:
Research
Pen & Logsheet; Apple Numbers (Mac); Microsoft Excel (PC); Mini DV video
recorder; Canon Digital IXUS 80is camera

Prototyping & documentation
OmniGraffle Pro (Mac); Axure Pro 4 (PC); Pen & Paper; Apple iWork (Mac);
Microsoft Office (PC)

Testing & Analysis
Morae (PC); Mini DV video recorder; Pen & Logsheet; 3M Sticky notes

--- We perform:
Site-visits
Behavioural observations
Interviews 
Focus groups for context
Requirement analysis (even in the initial/pre-analysis)
Testing (heuristic evaluations, summative and formative evaluation),

--- We make use of several process models depending on the organizational
contexts:
Adapted agile processes
Waterfall
Spiral

--- Methods:
Research - Contextual Inquiry; Metaphor Elicitation; Laddering Interview
Technique; Task Analysis; Affinity Diagramming; Surveys & Questionnaires;
Observation; Competitive analysis and testing

Formative Usability Testing - Paper Prototyping; Pluralistic Review; Think
Out Loud Protocol; Critical Incident Technique

Summative Usability Testing - ISO 25062 Common Industry Format for Reporting
Usability Test Results; WAMMI

--- Methodologies:
Framework - ISO 13407 Human Centred Design Processes for Interactive Systems
Developer centric - Agile UCD (eXtreme Programing base)
UCD - Mayhew's Usability Engineering Lifecycle (and derivations thereof)
In-house Technology Development and Quality Assurance methodologies
6 Sigma. 



And to conclude, 3 links that were provided by Ashley Donaldson:
 
Usability Body of Knowledge - http://www.usabilitybok.org/
Catalyze - http://www.mycatalyze.org/
Usability Net: Tools & Methods - http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools.htm