Abstract
Usability is a key quality attribute of successful software systems. Unfortunately, there is no common understanding of the factors influencing usability and their interrelations. Hence, the lack of a comprehensive basis for designing, analyzing, and improving user interfaces. This paper proposes a 2-dimensional model of usability that associates system properties with the activities carried out by the user. By separating activities and properties, sound quality criteria can be identified, thus facilitating statements concerning their interdependencies. This model is based on a tested quality meta-model that fosters preciseness and completeness. A case study demonstrates the manner by which such a model aids in revealing contradictions and omissions in existing usability standards. Furthermore, the model serves as a central and structured knowledge base for the entire quality assurance process, e.g. the automatic generation of guideline documents.
The original version of the book was revised: The copyright line was incorrect. The Erratum to the book is available at DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-92698-6_37
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Winter, S., Wagner, S., Deissenboeck, F. (2008). A Comprehensive Model of Usability. In: Gulliksen, J., Harning, M.B., Palanque, P., van der Veer, G.C., Wesson, J. (eds) Engineering Interactive Systems. EHCI 2007. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 4940. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92698-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92698-6_7
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