TCA Letters to the Editor
Press Release
Title: Re: User Centered Design = Successful Products
Date: February 2004
Organization:
Letter:
'Usability studies are sometimes confused with the other aspects of the larger program known as user centered design that includes surveys and focus groups which are effective in collecting opinions. Usability tests focus more on behavior.'
Dear Editor,
The above description may lead to confusion, particularly if we move out of library circles and into other areas where the practice of User Centered Design (UCD) is common. UCD is a collection of techniques which does indeed include surveys and other forms of assessing user preference. It also includes card sorting, wire-framing, rapid iterative design -- all which "focus more on behavior" -- as well as traditional usability which is what I guess the author means here.
For a good overview have a look at the section on UCD from IBM's Ease of User site:
Also helpful is:
Scanlon, Jack and Lynn Percival. 'UCD for different project types.' IBM developerWorks (March 2002).
Cheers,
LEO
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Leo Robert Klein
www.leoklein.com
