Usability Engineering

Usability Engineering

by Jakob Nielsen
Released November 1994
Publisher(s): Morgan Kaufmann
ISBN: 9780080520292

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Book description

Written by the author of the best-selling HyperText & HyperMedia, this book is an excellent guide to the methods of usability engineering. The book provides the tools needed to avoid usability surprises and improve product quality. Step-by-step information on which method to use at various stages during the development lifecycle are included, along with detailed information on how to run a usability test and the unique issues relating to international usability.

* Emphasizes cost-effective methods that developers can implement immediately
* Instructs readers about which methods to use when, throughout the development lifecycle, which ultimately helps in cost-benefit analysis.
* Shows readers how to avoid the four most frequently listed reasons for delay in software projects.
* Includes detailed information on how to run a usability test.
* Covers unique issues of international usability.
* Features an extensive bibliography allowing readers to find additional information.
* Written by an internationally renowned expert in the field and the author of the best-selling HyperText & HyperMedia.

Table of contents

  1. Front Cover
  2. Usability Engineering
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Table of Contents
  5. Preface
  6. Audience
  7. Teaching Usability Engineering
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. Chapter 1. Executive Summary
    1. 1.1 Cost Savings (1/2)
    2. 1.1 Cost Savings (2/2)
    3. 1.2 Usability Now!
    4. 1.3 Usability Slogans (1/2)
    5. 1.3 Usability Slogans (2/2)
    6. 1.4 Discount Usability Engineering
    7. 1.5 Recipe For Action
  10. Chapter 2. What Is Usability?
    1. 2.1 Usability and Other Considerations
    2. 2.2 Definition of Usability (1/3)
    3. 2.2 Definition of Usability (2/3)
    4. 2.2 Definition of Usability (3/3)
    5. 2.3 Example: Measuring the Usability of Icons
    6. 2.4 Usability Trade-Offs
    7. 2.5 Categories of Users and Individual User Differences (1/2)
    8. 2.5 Categories of Users and Individual User Differences (2/2)
  11. Chaper 3. Generations of User Interfaces
    1. 3.1 Batch Systems
    2. 3.2 Line-Oriented Interfaces
    3. 3.3 Full-Screen Interfaces
    4. 3.4 Graphical User Interfaces
    5. 3.5 Next-Generation Interfaces
    6. 3.6 Long-Term Trends in Usability
  12. Chapter 4. The Usability Engineering Lifecycle
    1. 4.1 Know the User
    2. 4.2 Competitive Analysis
    3. 4.3 Goal Setting (1/2)
    4. 4.3 Goal Setting (2/2)
    5. 4.4 Parallel Design
    6. 4.5 Participatory Design
    7. 4.6 Coordinating the Total Interface
    8. 4.7 Guidelines and Heuristic Evaluation
    9. 4.8 Prototyping (1/2)
    10. 4.8 Prototyping (2/2)
    11. 4.9 Interface Evaluation
    12. 4.10 Iterative Design
    13. 4.11 Follow-Up Studies of Installed Systems
    14. 4.12 Meta-Methods
    15. 4.13 Prioritizing Usability Activities
    16. 4.14 Be Prepared
  13. Chapters 5. Usability Heuristics
    1. 5.1 Simple and Natural Dialogue
    2. 5.2 Speak the Users' Language (1/2)
    3. 5.2 Speak the Users' Language (2/2)
    4. 5.3 Minimize User Memory Load
    5. 5.4 Consistency
    6. 5.5 Feedback
    7. 5.6 Clearly Marked Exits
    8. 5.7 Shortcuts
    9. 5.8 Good Error Messages
    10. 5.9 Prevent Errors
    11. 5.10 Help and Documentation (1/2)
    12. 5.10 Help and Documentation (2/2)
    13. 5.11 Heuristic Evaluation (1/2)
    14. 5.11 Heuristic Evaluation (2/2)
  14. Chapter 6. Usability Testing
    1. 6.1 Test Goals and Test Plans
    2. 6.2 Getting Test Users
    3. 6.3 Choosing Experimenters
    4. 6.4 Ethical Aspects of Tests with Human Subjects
    5. 6.5 Test Tasks
    6. 6.6 Stages of a Test
    7. 6.7 Performance Measurement
    8. 6.8 Thinking Aloud
    9. 6.9 Usability Laboratories (1/2)
    10. 6.9 Usability Laboratories (2/2)
  15. Chapter 7. Usability Assessment Methods beyond Testing
    1. 7.1 Observation
    2. 7.2 Questionnaires and Interviews
    3. 7.3 Focus Groups
    4. 7.4 Logging Actual Use
    5. 7.5 User Feedback
    6. 7.6 Choosing Usability Methods
  16. Chapter 8. Interface Standards
    1. 8.1 National, International and Vendor Standards
    2. 8.2 Producing Usable In-House Standards
  17. Chapter 9. International User Interfaces
    1. 9.1 International Graphical Interfaces
    2. 9.2 International Usability Engineering
    3. 9.3 Guidelines for Internationalization
    4. 9.4 Resource Separation
    5. 9.5 Multilocale Interfaces
  18. Chapter 10. Future Developments
    1. 10.1 Theoretical Solutions
    2. 10.2 Technological Solutions
    3. 10.3 CAUSE Tools: Computer-Aided Usability Engineering
    4. 10.4 Technology Transfer
  19. Appendix A: Exercises (1/3)
  20. Appendix A: Exercises (2/3)
  21. Appendix A: Exercises (3/3)
  22. Appendix B: Bibliography
    1. B.l Conference Proceedings
    2. B.2 Journals
    3. B.3 Introductions and Textbooks
    4. B.4 Handbook
    5. B.5 Reprint Collections
    6. B.6 Important Monographs and Collections of Original Papers (1/2)
    7. B.6 Important Monographs and Collections of Original Papers (2/2)
    8. B.7 Guidelines
    9. B.8 Videotapes
    10. B.9 Other Bibliographies
    11. B.10 References (1/7)
    12. B.10 References (2/7)
    13. B.10 References (3/7)
    14. B.10 References (4/7)
    15. B.10 References (5/7)
    16. B.10 References (6/7)
    17. B.10 References (7/7)
  23. Author Index (1/2)
  24. Author Index (2/2)
  25. Subject Index (1/3)
  26. Subject Index (2/3)
  27. Subject Index (3/3)

Product information

  • Title: Usability Engineering
  • Author(s): Jakob Nielsen
  • Release date: November 1994
  • Publisher(s): Morgan Kaufmann
  • ISBN: 9780080520292