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What is Usability?. Usability grew out of the field of Human Factors or Ergonomics Human performance, limitations, and environmental factors Objectives: Reduce errors, increase safety, improve system performance Human Factors had its roots in Psychology Cognition, perception, learning
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What is Usability? • Usability grew out of the field of Human Factors or Ergonomics • Human performance, limitations, and environmental factors • Objectives: Reduce errors, increase safety, improve system performance • Human Factors had its roots in Psychology • Cognition, perception, learning • Got its start in the early-mid 1900’s • Weaponry was early focus area as were time-and-motion studies
Domains of specialization • Physical ergonomics – anthropometric, physiological, and biomechanical characteristics as they affect the interaction between humans and systems, e.g. repetitive movements, workplace layout, and safety. • Cognitive ergonomics – mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning as they affect the interactions between humans and systems, e.g., mental workload, decision making, and work stress. • Organizational ergonomics – optimization of sociotechnical systems e.g., organizational structures, policies, and processes. www.iea.cc
An “Actionable” Definition “The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use” - ISO 9241-11 " Usability means providing value that users can see themselves.” - Ginny Redish
What’s In a Name? • ACM- Association for Computer Machinery • SIG/CHI - Computer Human Interface • UPA - Usability Professional’s Association • UXPA - User Experience Professionals Association
Research Before Making the Change • Brand assessment by outside firm • Consider a name change • Reflect members work activities • Attract new members • Added data • Member value study • Salary study • Conference discussions
Why UXPA? • Aligns with our Goals • Reflects our work product • Represents our members • Is recognizable to people and organizations who work with our people
The UXPA's goals are to: • Become the authoritative source on the practice of usability, user-centered design (UCD), and user experience (UX). • Facilitate professional development and education within the UX field. • Promote the business value of user experience, research, design and evaluation to business and other entities. • Foster a community of user experience professionals through knowledge sharing and networking.