Assessed through usability evaluation, which includes methods such as heuristic evaluations, usability testing, cognitive walkthroughs, and standardize surveys (e.g., System/Intervention/Implementation Strategy Usability Scale).
Usability is a fundamental HCD outcome and is commonly assessed using interviews coupled with other methods for usability studies to gather insight on both ability to perform tasks and experience. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9241-11 definition of usability is the “extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use.” A formative usability study aims to identify opportunities for design improvements and aligns with the “discover” phase of DDBT. A summative usability study aims to evaluate how well a product or service meets its objectives and aligns with the “test” phase of DDBT.
Usability issues are: Aspects of the intervention or implementation strategy and/or a demand on the user which make it unpleasant, inefficient, onerous, or impossible for the user to achieve their goals in typical usage situations (adapted from Lavery, Cockton, & Atkinson, 1997).
Teams will be asked to report usability issues using the ALACRITY Center usability issue format, which includes:
- A descriptive name
- A description of the issue
- Issue severity
- Issue scope
- Issue complexity
Usability issues should be reported at the end of the Discover phase, and then additionally identified issues should be reported at the end of discover/build and test phases. UWAC Methods Core members will provide feedback to teams after submission of usability issues to potentially revise wording and discuss how the usability issues will be addressed in subsequent DDBT stages.
Learn about the Intervention/Implementation Strategy/System Usability Scale (SUS/IUS/ISUS)