Testing & Evaluating
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After several iterations of prototypes, it is time to do more extensive usability testing. Are users of the system able to achieve the tasks the system was designed to do? Do they find the system easy to use? Do they enjoy using the system?
Does the system take into account the limits of the human ability to process information? Is the workload too high? This can be evaluated with both subjective and performance measures.
The system may promote or hinder situation awareness of the users. This can be very important in certain settings where safety is critical such as aviation, the military, or the medical field.
Error identification is an important process for any design to go through. If the potential for errors is high, users may not be able to achieve the tasks the system was designed to complete, may not enjoy using the system, and may not be able to use the system safely.
Testing and evaluation may lead to changes in the design, after which the testing and evaluation process begins again.
Does the system take into account the limits of the human ability to process information? Is the workload too high? This can be evaluated with both subjective and performance measures.
The system may promote or hinder situation awareness of the users. This can be very important in certain settings where safety is critical such as aviation, the military, or the medical field.
Error identification is an important process for any design to go through. If the potential for errors is high, users may not be able to achieve the tasks the system was designed to complete, may not enjoy using the system, and may not be able to use the system safely.
Testing and evaluation may lead to changes in the design, after which the testing and evaluation process begins again.