Tutorial 7

Managing the Design of the User Interface

Deborah J. Mayhew, Deborah J. Mayhew & Associates

Sunday, May 7

Objective

This tutorial provides an overview of practical methods and techniques for designing good user interfaces. These techniques can be applied by software managers, designers, and developers during the course of product develop- ment. Managers and developers will gain insight on when and why to: analyze the costs and benefits of applying human factors methods during product development, design organizational structures and processes to foster good interface design, plan for and manage the use of human factors techniques within the overall project plan, effectively evaluate design alternatives by defining and prioritizing objective goals and criteria, and strengthen interface design decisions by applying quick and inexpensive interface evaluation techniques.

Content

Methods and techniques presented include not only design and evaluation techniques but also organizational and managerial strategies. The tutorial is organized around a sample development lifecycle and presents an overview of human factors methods which can be applied at different points in the development process. Topics include: organizational and managerial strategies that support interface design, information gathering methods which support preliminary design methods and specifications, design methods, and testing and evaluation methods for simulations and prototypes.

Audience

This introductory-level tutorial is intended for development managers with planning and budget responsibility. However, it may also be of interest to individual contributors who work in a software development organization and have responsibility for the quality of user interfaces. Junior level human factors specialists would also benefit.

Presentation

Lecture, discussion

Instructor

Deborah J. Mayhew is owner and Principal Consultant of Deborah J. Mayhew & Associates, a consulting firm offering services related to computer-human interaction. She has taught and consulted extensively on managing user interface design. Her work includes intro- ducing human factors techniques and methods into software development organizations.

Keith Instone / instone@acm.org / 95-01-05