Further information to Usability Examinations

Meaning of Usability

• Definition of "Usability" according to ISO:
  Usability of a product is the extent, to which it can be used by a certain user, to achieve effectively, efficiently and satisfyingly certain goals in a certain context." (ISO 9241-11)
• The ISO standard gives the following definitions:
  • effectiveness = the accuracy and completeness, with which a user achieves a goal by the help of a product
  • efficiency = the relation between accuracy & completeness and the assigned efforts
  • satisfaction = freedom from impairment and positive product estimation on user side.

The term "Usability" was invented in the seventies and eighties within the range of computer science, in order to replace the designation "user-friendly", which was felt as too vague and subjectively. The English expression has been developed from the fusion of the terms usefulness and utility and is to understand synonymously to "user-friendly".

links to the topic:

Jacob Nielson's Homepage: http://www.useit.com 

Methods for the statement of the usability

• Basic Usability Test Package

In the context of the Basic Usability Test Package a product is examined in view to its fundamental usability characteristics. Depending upon complexity and scope of the product properties product functionalities are selected and tested on their user friendliness by CETECOM usability-experts.

• Expert Usability Test Package

In the context of the Expert Usability Test Package a product is examined in view to its fundamental and extended usability characteristics by CETECOM experts. Depending upon complexity and scope of the specific product properties CETECOM, in arrangement with the customer, provides a catalogue of fundamental and extended product functionalities, which are tested on their usability.

• Concurrent Usability Test Package

With the Concurrent Usability Test Package the product evaluation by experts is combined with "in lab" product tests under participation of representative final users as test persons. A product is examined for its adequacy by representative final users under guidance of CETECOM experts. Depending upon complexity and scope of the specific product properties CETECOM, in arrangement with the customer, provides a catalogue of different product functionalities, which are to be examined by experts and by final users in the test laboratory.