A Structural Approach to Prototype Design in Iterative Systems Development

Magnus Lif, Jan Gulliksen, Mats Lind, Bengt Sandblad

Analysis of Information Utilisation (AIU)
MAGNUS LIFa,b (ml@hci.uu.se), JAN GULLIKSENa,b (jg@hci.uu.se), MATS LINDa (mats.lind@hci.uu.se), & BENGT SANDBLADa,b (bengt.sandblad@hci.uu.se)
a Uppsala University, Center for Human-Computer Studies, Lägerhyddvägen 18, S-752 37 Uppsala, Sweden. b Uppsala University, Department of Technology, Systems & Control Group, PO Box 27, S-751 03 Uppsala, Sweden.

Abstract

Existing methodologies for design focus upon capturing of design rationales, methods for domain analysis, or evaluation methods. There is little or no support for making design decisions; rather, design is regarded as an artistic process that only can be improved through experience. This paper presents a structural approach to the iterative process of designing effective and efficient human-computer interfaces. Four different phases of the design process are described: Identification of the information contents, specification of the layout, dialogue structure, and the behaviour of the user interface. Design decisions made in these phases are based on a set of heuristics. The prerequisites for the user interface design process is an analysis of the domain, the users, and the technical environment. Based on this, a suitable metaphor can be chosen. A "workspace metaphor" supporting administrative work in a broad sense performed by skilled professionals is introduced. By creating interface elements and work-spaces in an iterative design process, a first prototype can be defined. Some design examples are shown.

Keywords
Design Methods; Designers; Domain; Users; Heuristics; Guidelines; Skilled Workers.

Source
PostScript

Magnus Lif, Systems and Control Group, Department of Technology, Uppsala University, PO Box 27, S-751 03 Uppsala, Sweden,