A Usability Engineering Approach to the Development of Graphical User Interfaces

Abstract

We outline a methodological framework for thedevelopment of (direct manipulation) user interfaces,which enables to integrate usability issues into thesoftware development process from the very beginning.The focal point of this approach is a psychologicallybased task analysis documented by means of a formaltask description, which serves as the central referencefor designing and testing the usability of the userinterface under development. A syntax-driven graphicaleditor delivers support for the method.