HCI - Prototyping and early phase evaluation

Software Prototype

• Actually works
• Must be built quickly and cheaply
• In an integral part of user-centred design
• Evaluation and modification are fundamental
• the code is generally thrown away but the design is kept
• In incremental and evolutionary prototyping the code may be kept
• But work out for unmaintainable code

Evaluating techniques

• tests usability and functionality of system
• occurs in laboratory, field and/or in collaboration with users
• evaluates both design and implementation
• should be considered at all stages in the design life cycle

Observational methods

• Think aloud
• Coperative evaluation
• Protocol analysis
• Automated analysis
• Post-task walkthroughs