What is usability

From openSUSE

Usability has quite a simple definition:

• People can use a product easily and efficiently to accomplish their own tasks. Products that are usable enable workers to concentrate on their tasks and do real work, rather than on the tools they use to perform their tasks.
• So the main goal is the adaptation of software characteristics to human mental qualities and - as result - minimized stress during use of software for all kinds of users.

• Keywords of the ISO 9242 (Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals) are
  • Efficiency
  • Effectiveness
  • (User) Satisfaction

• The seven general ergonomic principles which apply to the design of dialogues between humans and information systems are:
• Suitability for the task
• Suitability for learning
• Suitability for individualisation
• Conformity with user expectations
• Self descriptivenes
• Controllability
• Error tolerance.

See http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/r_international.htm for detailed information about international norms.

Reasons to make usable software

• Usability is not high priced - the work is an essential part of the development process and has to be done by someone, developers or better Usability-specialists. In the last consequence you can increase the profit via *usable software* by a higher ROI.
• It applies to every aspect of a product with which a person interacts, this includes hardware, software, menus, icons, messages, documentation, training, on-line help, wording, and much more. Every design and development decision has an impact on the product's usability.

Benefits:

• Usable software causes significant fewer costs in training your consultants and your documentation effort
• Easy of use will reduce significant the costs for the support hotline
• User is not overemployed with his software via endless mouse miles and comprehension problems
• Your company will have a fine reputation
• Your company will get access to public authorities orders because you will hold the international standards of ISO/DIN/EN
• The software will have no gadgets but fine performance
• The developers can do their job in a better way

Usability work is team work

The concept of the User Centered Design is based on the teamwork of

• User Experience Specialists
• Visual Designers
• Information Architects
• Technical Product Managers
• Developers
• Product Managers
• Users