<< Back to Portfolio << Previous Next >>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usability Evaluation and Redesign of the control panel of a Palm Top
Aim: To evaluate the usability of control panel of an m100 PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) on parameters derived from standard usability metrics and propose a redesigned interface.
Project Brief:
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are handheld computers that were originally designed as personal organizers, have become much more versatile over the years. We have tried to explore the ease of use and user friendliness of a particular model of PDA, in order to understand the drawbacks and come up with a more efficient interface..
Collaborators: Diya Gangopadhyay
Guide: Prof. Pradeep Yammiyavar
Nature of the Project: Lab Project
Duration: 3 weeks
Methodology adopted:
- Heuristic evaluation of the existing PDA interface
The interface was analyzed with respect to functions such as setting of date and time, storing and retrieving data from “to do” and “notepad” and security settings, and results were documented. The following image shows the interface of existing PDA.
- Selection of a task and fixing of target user group to test the usability of the control panel. The set of tasks to be performed was selected on the basis of frequency and importance of the functions in the context of the chosen user group (mainly professionals).
- Optimum complexity so as to test the control panel adequately and at the same time not perplex the first time users beyond a certain degree.
The tasks chosen involved:
- Feeding in data in the “To do” list and assign them priority and category
- Setting password to mask private data
- Browsing through notepad quickly
- Usability testing using Think Aloud protocol and photo-documentation was done
Certain scenarios were presented before the users based the tasks chosen and they were asked to “think aloud” as they performed the task.
All important observations and remarks during “think aloud” were noted down and retrospective interview was conducted to fill in the loopholes.
The general observations (verbal remarks and gestures, expressions etc) which were related to the usability of the control panel were noted down. The relevant observations were listed in a tabular format and inferences were drawn from them.
- Analysis of data to identify mismatches of the control panel with the users’ mental model. Usability metrics was proposed for the redesigned control panel.
The following image shows the consolidation of user testing data and inferences drawn from those in conjugation with Usability Metrics.
- Redesign and prototype creation
The salient features of the redesigned model were as follows: - Reversibility of action
- Easy visibility of important buttons
- A conspicuous and easily noticeable text writing area
- Improved grouping of controls
- Consistent navigation tools
- Use of color to bring about visual continuity of a group of similar controls
Deliverables:
Prototype of redesigned control panel was created and tested for its efficiency and value addition. A report detailing the entire methodology of the project was also submitted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<< Back to Portfolio << Previous Next >>