Mini-workshop: using the human context in interactive systems development

Abstract

This mini-workshop addressed the use of information about the context of human usage for interactive systems. The history of the theory and practice of using human context is briefly reviewed. The authors' views on current practice in research and development, pressures for improved use of contextual information in product development, and obstacles to improvements are then presented. The report ends with some strategies for addressing obstacles to progress, and a research agenda that recognises a comprehensive set of industrial needs and constraints. With only one academic member, the group's membership resulted in a welcome focus on the industrial use of contextual information in product development. There was a good range of industrial experience: an ex-academic working on novel product development, a member of research staff in a large industrial laboratory, and two senior staff from major suppliers of large computer systems. All were experiencing pressures to inform development with knowledge of how products and tools would be used in practice.