Abstract
Motivation -- Development of complex system interfaces can benefit, in addition to the traditional safety focused evaluation, also from a usability approach to evaluation of system performance. But as the users, the information system, and the controlled process constitute a complex system, the usability evaluation method needs to be extended to cover the systemic aspects of the activity under evaluation.
Research approach -- The research approach is constructive. By following a control room modernisation case and by conducting evaluations, a method to be used in the evaluation is constructed.
Findings -- A new construct: Systems Usability is introduced. Systems usability raises usability evaluation from analysing user tasks to the level of analysing user activity. A method to assess systems usability is outlined. Although the construct has been created in nuclear industry, it has relevance also with regard to other complex systems.
Take away message -- In evaluating complex system user interfaces, such as e.g. in nuclear power plant main control rooms, the whole activity in which the new user interface is adopted needs to be considered.
Research approach -- The research approach is constructive. By following a control room modernisation case and by conducting evaluations, a method to be used in the evaluation is constructed.
Findings -- A new construct: Systems Usability is introduced. Systems usability raises usability evaluation from analysing user tasks to the level of analysing user activity. A method to assess systems usability is outlined. Although the construct has been created in nuclear industry, it has relevance also with regard to other complex systems.
Take away message -- In evaluating complex system user interfaces, such as e.g. in nuclear power plant main control rooms, the whole activity in which the new user interface is adopted needs to be considered.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | ECCE '08: Proceedings of the 15th European conference on Cognitive ergonomics |
| Subtitle of host publication | The ergonomics of cool interaction |
| Place of Publication | Lisboa |
| Publisher | Association for Computing Machinery ACM |
| Pages | 110-117 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-60558-399-0 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-972-98464-2-7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Jan 2008 |
| MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
| Event | European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics (ECCE 2008) - Funchal, Portugal Duration: 16 Sept 2008 → 19 Sept 2008 |
Conference
| Conference | European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics (ECCE 2008) |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Portugal |
| City | Funchal |
| Period | 16/09/08 → 19/09/08 |
Keywords
- Usability evaluation
- complex systems
- activity theory
- Ecological Interface Design
- EID