Field Methods for Software and Sytems Design Hardback - 1996

Now you can learn firsthand field research methods pioneered by designers at a wide variety of hardware and software companies The case studies presented in this book are real-world demonstrations of field research methods being applied for the first time to the design of hardware and software products at a wide range of companies--Microsoft, Lotus Development Corporation, Claris Corporation, Digital Equipment Corporation, as well as many others. The first field methods book devoted exclusively to the areas of interface design and human/computer interaction, this collection offers design practitioners a unique opportunity to study a wide range of techniques developed by their peers to investigate user work in context and to provide a basis for grounded product design. Presenting the case studies in a consistently coherent, straightforward manner, the authors extrapolate useful lessons from each, analyzing the costs and benefits, advantages and disadvantages of each approach, as well as offering a wealth of practical advice and guidance on how to adapt the described methods to your own design endeavors. Field Methods Casebook for Software Design:

• Describes the latest field research methods as they have been used in product design
• Provides concrete and detailed examples of data-gathering techniques and data analysis processes geared specifically to design issues

This book is an indispensable resource for user interface designers, usability engineers, and all those involved with software design.