An evaluation of the usability of human-computer interaction methods in support of the development of interactive systems

Abstract

In the course of this research project the output of four task analysis (TA) methods was investigated, explored and evaluated to ascertain whether they could support the requirements analysis (RA) phase and so contribute directly to other activities in the development life cycle for interactive multimedia (IMM) systems. The research discusses the success and failure factors of particular TA methods. The problems of an IMM systems development life cycle are linked to weaknesses of the requirements analysis phase and in particular to the incomplete support of TA methods and techniques used within the requirements analysis phase. The outputs of the selected TA methods are evaluated according to four factors, which are represented as an evaluation framework (EF). Each factor represents specific criteria and features that TA methods should cover in their processes and outputs. The findings show that TA methods have a number of weaknesses in support and the contributions they make. Therefore questions and recommendations are considered about how the methods can be improved in order to obtain better requirements.