Written by the author of the best-selling HyperText & HyperMedia, this book is an excellent guide to the methods of usability engineering. The book provides the tools needed to avoid usability surprises and improve product quality. Step-by-step information on which method to use at various stages during the development lifecycle are included, along with detailed information on how to run a usability test and the unique issues relating to international usability. * Emphasizes cost-effective methods that developers can implement immediately * Instructs readers about which methods to use when, throughout the development lifecycle, which ultimately helps in cost-benefit analysis. * Shows readers how to avoid the four most frequently listed reasons for delay in software projects. * Includes detailed information on how to run a usability test. * Covers unique issues of international usability. * Features an extensive bibliography allowing readers to find additional information. * Written by an internationally renowned expert in the field and the author of the best-selling HyperText & HyperMedia. Copyright @=4 Contents v Preface ix - Audience IX - Teaching Usability Engineering Xl - Acknowledgments Xlli @=14 1. Executive Summary 1 - 1.1 Cost Savings 2 - 1.2 Usability Now! 8 - 1.3 Usability Slogans 10 - 1.4 Discount Usability Engineering 17 - 1.5 Recipe For Action 21 2. What Is Usability? 23 - 2.1 Usability and Other Considerations 24 - 2.2 Definition of Usability 26 - 2.3 Example: Measuring the Usability of Icons 37 - 2.4 Usability Trade-Offs 41 - 2.5 Categories of Users and Individual User Differences 43 3. Generations of User Interfaces 49 - 3.1 Batch Systems 51 - 3.2 Line-Oriented Interfaces 52 - 3.3 Full-Screen Interfaces 54 - 3.4 Graphical User Interfaces 57 - 3.5 Next-Generation Interfaces 62 - 3.6 Long-Term Trends in Usability 67 4. The Usability Engineering Lifecycle 71 - 4.1 Know the User 73 - 4.2 Competitive Analysis 78 - 4.3 Goal Setting 79 - 4.4 Parallel Design 85 - 4.5 Participatory Design 88 - 4.6 Coordinating the Total Interface 90 - 4.7 Guidelines and Heuristic Evaluation 91 - 4.8 Prototyping 93 - 4.9 Interface Evaluation 102 - 4.10 Iterative Design 105 - 4.11 Follow-Up Studies of Installed Systems 109 - 4.12 Meta-Methods 111 - 4.13 Prioritizing Usability Activities 112 - 4.14 Be Prepared 113 5. Usability Heuristics 115 - 5.1 Simple and Natural Dialogue 115 - 5.2 Speak the Users' Language 123 - 5.3 Minimize User Memory Load 129 - 5.4 Consistency 132 - 5.5 Feedback 134 - 5.6 Clearly Marked Exits 138 - 5.7 Shortcuts 139 - 5.8 Good Error Messages 142 - 5.9 Prevent Errors 145 - 5.10 Help and Documentation 148 - 5.11 Heuristic Evaluation 155 6. Usability Testing 165 - 6.1 Test Goals and Test Plans 170 - 6.2 Getting Test Users 175 - 6.3 Choosing Experimenters 179 - 6.4 Ethical Aspects of Tests with Human Subjects 181 - 6.5 Test Tasks 185 - 6.6 Stages of a Test 187 - 6.7 Performance Measurement 192 - 6.8 Thinking Aloud 195 - 6.9 Usability Laboratories 200 7. Usability Assessment Methods beyond Testing 207 - 7.1 Observation 207 - 7.2 Questionnaires and Interviews 209 - 7.3 Focus Groups 214 - 7.4 Logging Actual Use 217 - 7.5 User Feedback 221 - 7.6 Choosing Usability Methods 223 8. Interface Standards 227 - 8.1 National, International and Vendor Standards 231 - 8.2 Producing Usable In-House Standards 233 9. International User Interfaces 237 - 9.1 International Graphical Interfaces 239 - 9.2 International Usability Engineering 242 - 9.3 Guidelines for Internationalization 247 - 9.4 Resource Separation 251 - 9.5 Multilocale Interfaces 253 10. Future Developments 255 - 10.1 Theoretical Solutions 256 - 10.2 Technological Solutions 260 - 10.3 CAUSE Tools: Computer-Aided Usability Engineering 264 - 10.4 Technology Transfer 265 Exercises 269 Bibliography 283 - B.1 Conference Proceedings 284 - B.2 Journals 286 - B.3 Introductions and Textbooks 290 - B.4 Handbook 291 - B.5 Reprint Collections 292 - B.6 Important Monographs and Collections of Original Papers 294 - B.7 Guidelines 300 - B.8 Videotapes 302 - B.9 Other Bibliographies 304 - B.10 References 306 Author Index 341 Subject Index 351
