Automating interface evaluation

Abstract

One method for user interface analysis that has proven successful is formal interface analysis, such as GOMS-based analysis. Such methods are often criticized for being difficult to learn, or at the very least an additional burden for the system designer. However, if the process of constructing and using formal models could be automated as part of the interface design environment, such models could be of even greater value. This paper describes an early version of such a system, called USAGE (the UIDE System for semi-Automated GOMS Evaluation).Given the application model necessary to drive the UIDE system, USAGE generates an NGOMSL model of the interface which can be 'run' on a typical set of user tasks and provide execution and learning time estimates.