Abstract
Abstract This paper explores the role of formal methods as part of the user-centred design of interactive systems. An iterative process is described, developing prototypes incrementally, proving user-centred requirements while at the same time evaluating the prototypes that are executable forms of the developed models using ‘traditional’ techniques for user evaluation. A formal analysis complements user evaluations. This approach enriches user-centred design that typically focuses understanding on context and producing sketch designs. These sketches are often non-functional (e.g. paper) prototypes. They provide a means of exploring candidate design possibilities using techniques such as cooperative evaluation. This paper describes a further step in the process using formal analysis techniques. The use of formal methods provides a systematic approach to checking plausibility and consistency during early design stages, while at the same time enabling the generation of executable prototypes. The technique is illustrated through an example based on a pill dispenser.
Highlights
Traditional user-centred design approaches such as contextual design [Beyer & Holtzblatt, 1998] and scenario-based design [Carroll, 1995] focus on user tasks early and throughout the design process
This paper advocates a complementary process in which each step of the user-centred design process uses the, traditional approach of presenting the current version of the interface to users but, at the same time, involves a formal analysis of the model that is developed alongside the design
Contributions of the paper are the following: (i) a user-centred design process that integrates the use of formal models and empirical analysis and (ii) an application of the approach to a realistic case study based on a pill dispenser device
Summary
Traditional user-centred design approaches such as contextual design [Beyer & Holtzblatt, 1998] and scenario-based design [Carroll, 1995] focus on user tasks early and throughout the design process. This paper advocates a complementary process in which each step of the user-centred design process uses the, traditional approach of presenting the current version of the interface to users but, at the same time, involves a formal analysis of the model that is developed alongside the design. Contributions of the paper are the following: (i) a user-centred design process that integrates the use of formal models and empirical analysis and (ii) an application of the approach to a realistic case study based on a pill dispenser device. The main extensions are as follows: an enriched description of the approach for integrating the formal analysis in standard user-centred design methods, an extended presentation of the requirements of the pill box device and a detailed illustration of the formal analysis carried out to verify use-related requirements of the pill box device. While the approach is similar, the concern in this paper is different and complementary, as the approach is used to support the design process itself
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