Information Systems Development Methodologies - High Level Models and Methodologies for Information Systems - page 47

task requirements, and the iteration of design and evaluation. A user-centered

methodology includes methods and approaches that provide the user with a key
role. It is argued that it essentially focuses on usability throughout all the devel-
opment process (Gulliksen et al. 2003 ).
Each information system brings together different users with individual differ-
ences and experiences. These individual differences and experiences among users
can have a determining impact and lasting in

”

uence over the system ' s performance;

thus, it is crucial in UCD to combine users with systems con gurations in order to

optimize and improve their performance (Allen 2000 ).
In IS, the differences between users must be seen as a bene t to the design of a

system. By considering those differences, it is possible to design a more complete
system that can reach a wider range of users, making that particular system more

flexible and more useful in different contexts and environments.
In Gulliksen et al. ( 2003 ), it is proposed that there are twelve principles for UCD
design, summarized in Table 3.2 .

Table 3.2 Principles of user-centered system design
User focus The goals of the activity, the work domain, or context of use, the

users ' goals, tasks, and needs should guide the development from
the beginning

Active user involvement Representative users should actively participate, early, and

continuously throughout the entire development process and
throughout the system lifecycle

Evolutionary system
development

Development should be both iterative and incremental

Simple design
representations

The design must be represented in such ways that it can be easily
understood by users and all stakeholders

Prototyping Early and continuously, prototypes should be used to visualize

and evaluate ideas and design solutions in cooperation with end
users

Evaluate use in context Baseline usability goals and design criteria should control the

development

Explicit and conscious
design activities

The development process should contain dedicated design
activities

A professional attitude The development process should be performed by effective

multidisciplinary teams

Usability champion Usability experts should be involved early and continuously

throughout the development lifecycle

Holistic design All aspects that in uence the future use situation should be

developed in parallel

Process customization The UCD process must be specific, adapted, and/or implemented

locally in each organization

A user-centered attitude UCD requires a user-centered attitude throughout the project

team, the development organization, and the client organization

Source Gulliksen et al. ( 2003 )