Usability Evaluation Considered Harmful(Some of the Time)
Date
2007-10-02
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Abstract
Current practice in Human Computer Interaction as encouraged by
educational institutes, academic review processes, and institutions with
usability groups advocate usability evaluation as a critical part of every
design process. This is for good reason: usability evaluation has a
significant role to play when conditions warrant it. Yet evaluation can be
ineffective and even harmful if naively done by rule rather than by
thought . If done during design brainstorming, it can kill creative ideas that
do not conform to current interface norms. If done prematurely during early
system design, the many interface issues seen can kill what would could have
been an inspired vision. If done to verify an academic prototype, it may
incorrectly suggest a design s worthiness rather than offer a meaningful
critique of how it would be adopted and used in everyday practice. If done
without regard to how cultures adopt technology over time, then today's
reluctant reactions by users will forestall tomorrow's eager acceptance.
Traditional usability evaluation should not be used to validate very early
design stages or culturally-sensitive systems. Other reflective and critical
methods should be considered in their stead.
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Computer Science