Usability: Difference between revisions

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[[file:system_fund.png|right|frame|System Fundamentals<ref>http://www.flaticon.com/</ref>]]
[[file:system_fund.png|right|frame|System Fundamentals<ref>http://www.flaticon.com/</ref>]]


Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object such as a tool or device. In software engineering, usability is the degree to which a software can be used by specified consumers to achieve quantified objectives with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a quantified context of use <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usability</ref>.
In software engineering, usability is the degree to which a software can be used by specified consumers to achieve quantified objectives with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a quantified context of use <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usability</ref>.


Any discussion of usability must include the idea of ergonomics and accessibility.
Any discussion of usability must include the idea of ergonomics and accessibility.
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== Do I understand this? ==
== Do I understand this? ==


You should be able to close your eyes and define this idea of usable and usability. However, I hope you take a moment to think more deeply about this idea. [http://www.wqusability.com/articles/more-than-ease-of-use.html From this article], we learn usability might be decomposed into:  
You should be able to close your eyes and recite from memory this idea of usable and usability. However, I hope you take a moment to think more deeply about this idea. [http://www.wqusability.com/articles/more-than-ease-of-use.html From this article], we learn usability might be decomposed into:  


The definition of usability in the ISO 9241 standard is:


"The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use"
"The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use"<ref>http://www.wqusability.com/articles/more-than-ease-of-use.html</ref>


This definition can be expanded, and made more comprehensive, by including five characteristics which must be met for the users of a product:
This definition can be expanded, and made more comprehensive, by including five characteristics which must be met for the users of a product:


Effective
* Effective
Efficient
* Efficient
Engaging
* Engaging
Error Tolerant
* Error Tolerant
Easy to Learn
* Easy to Learn
 


== Standards ==
== Standards ==

Latest revision as of 09:24, 20 November 2024

System Fundamentals[1]

In software engineering, usability is the degree to which a software can be used by specified consumers to achieve quantified objectives with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a quantified context of use [2].

Any discussion of usability must include the idea of ergonomics and accessibility.


Do I understand this?[edit]

You should be able to close your eyes and recite from memory this idea of usable and usability. However, I hope you take a moment to think more deeply about this idea. From this article, we learn usability might be decomposed into:


"The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use"[3]

This definition can be expanded, and made more comprehensive, by including five characteristics which must be met for the users of a product:

  • Effective
  • Efficient
  • Engaging
  • Error Tolerant
  • Easy to Learn

Standards[edit]

  • Define the term usability.


References[edit]