Usability Engineering (Interactive Technologies)

Front Cover Usability Engineering Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Audience Teaching Usability Engineering Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Executive Summary 1.1 Cost Savings 1.2 Usability Now! 1.3 Usability Slogans 1.4 Discount Usability Engineering 1.5 Recipe For Action Chapter 2. What Is Usability? 2.1 Usability and Other Considerations 2.2 Definition of Usability 2.3 Example: Measuring the Usability of Icons 2.4 Usability Trade-Offs 2.5 Categories of Users and Individual User Differences Chaper 3. Generations of User Interfaces 3.1 Batch Systems 3.2 Line-Oriented Interfaces 3.3 Full-Screen Interfaces 3.4 Graphical User Interfaces 3.5 Next-Generation Interfaces 3.6 Long-Term Trends in Usability Chapter 4. The Usability Engineering Lifecycle 4.1 Know the User 4.2 Competitive Analysis 4.3 Goal Setting 4.4 Parallel Design 4.5 Participatory Design 4.6 Coordinating the Total Interface 4.7 Guidelines and Heuristic Evaluation 4.8 Prototyping 4.9 Interface Evaluation 4.10 Iterative Design 4.11 Follow-Up Studies of Installed Systems 4.12 Meta-Methods 4.13 Prioritizing Usability Activities 4.14 Be Prepared Chapters 5. Usability Heuristics 5.1 Simple and Natural Dialogue 5.2 Speak the Users' Language 5.3 Minimize User Memory Load 5.4 Consistency 5.5 Feedback 5.6 Clearly Marked Exits 5.7 Shortcuts 5.8 Good Error Messages 5.9 Prevent Errors 5.10 Help and Documentation 5.11 Heuristic Evaluation Chapter 6. Usability Testing 6.1 Test Goals and Test Plans 6.2 Getting Test Users 6.3 Choosing Experimenters 6.4 Ethical Aspects of Tests with Human Subjects 6.5 Test Tasks 6.6 Stages of a Test 6.7 Performance Measurement 6.8 Thinking Aloud 6.9 Usability Laboratories Chapter 7. Usability Assessment Methods beyond Testing 7.1 Observation 7.2 Questionnaires and Interviews 7.3 Focus Groups 7.4 Logging Actual Use 7.5 User Feedback 7.6 Choosing Usability Methods Chapter 8. Interface Standards 8.1 National, International and Vendor Standards 8.2 Producing Usable In-House Standards Chapter 9. International User Interfaces 9.1 International Graphical Interfaces 9.2 International Usability Engineering 9.3 Guidelines for Internationalization 9.4 Resource Separation 9.5 Multilocale Interfaces Chapter 10. Future Developments 10.1 Theoretical Solutions 10.2 Technological Solutions 10.3 CAUSE Tools: Computer-Aided Usability Engineering 10.4 Technology Transfer Appendix A: Exercises Appendix B: Bibliography B.l Conference Proceedings B.2 Journals B.3 Introductions and Textbooks B.4 Handbook B.5 Reprint Collections B.6 Important Monographs and Collections of Original Papers B.7 Guidelines B.8 Videotapes B.9 Other Bibliographies B.10 References Author Index Subject Index 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. "Avoid usability surprises by including cost-effective usability activities throughout your product development life cycle." "Better usability engineering methods can help you avoid the four most frequently listed reasons for delay in software projects: frequent requests for changes by users, overlooked tasks, users' lack of understanding of their own requirements, and insufficient user-analyst communication and understanding. By implementing the methods discussed, you will be able to improve your user interfaces for software (or other products) immediately." "Systematic usability engineering leads to better user interfaces that make your system easier to learn and your users more productive. This helps reduce the frequency and seriousness of user errors, and makes the users like the system better."--Jacket