Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
must know the possible domain of data. He will then be able to recommend their
combination to produce information that corresponds to the need that he will have
defined with the user. An information system is an application that is based on the
operating data and resources (e.g. the available media and its distribution); the IIS
can also interact with other systems (e.g. to compare data and put forward
emergency solutions in the event of an incident). The functional characteristics of
these resources will be described to the ergonomist by experts in the application
domain. The ergonomist will endeavor not to limit the proposal to existing systems
by projecting it towards the possibilities of new information services for users. A
second indicator of the system operating environment concerns the application
domain-oriented procedures (in terms of instructions to respect). Indeed, for certain
applications the operation of the IIS is restricted by procedures overseeing the
security, reliability or organization of the operating environment. With this method,
the ergonomist is closest to the constraints of the future system. The previously
identified data resources and their functional characteristics will be described to the
ergonomist by domain experts so that the considered evolutions will take into account
the feasibility constraints.
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User profile
s: the definition of a representative sample of users targeted by the
system is mandatory to correctly specify the relevant criteria for the application. The
size of the sample depends on the environment of use. It can nonetheless remain
relatively limited as it is a matter of seeking representativeness and not necessarily
exhaustiveness of all the combinations of criteria [BRA 04], [NIE 93]. Nielsen, for
example, puts forward that it is possible to identify around 80% of software errors
that are destined to a specific profile of users with six people of this profile
[NIE 00].
The tools recommended for the description of use and the operating
environments, as well as for setting the users' profile, are the classical tools for the
preparation of activity analysis. The documentary study of the IIS application
context (organizational and technical aspects) will be completed with interviews
with technical experts. The consultation of organizational and technical documents
will also be necessary to define the constraints and rules that govern the application
domain of the IIS that is to be designed.
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Observation of users
: activity analysis is based on the study of users in
situations of use. Depending on the constraints of the project (development phase,
access to the real environment, availability of new tools, etc.), observations can be
made in a real situation or based on scenarios [CAR 00], [ROT 05]. The
commentaries of users are solicited in parallel with the observed activity to
understand their underlying thought processes.
Data collection can be made by several observers but this may generate
discrepancies in the recorded data [HER 01]. Furthermore, the next steps of the
