User and task analysis for interface design

”Hackos and Redish wisely offer us the three things we most need about user and task analysis: practical advice, practical advice, and practical advice.” -Ben Shneiderman, University of Maryland”This book is well written, thorough, and loaded with techniques, examples, and resources that bring analysis to everyone.” -Marcia L. Conner, Director of Usability & Learnability PeopleSoft, Inc.User and Task Analysis for Interface Design helps you design a great user interface by focusing on the most important step in the process -the first one. You learn to go out and observe your users at work, whether they are employees of your company or people in customer organizations. You learn to find out what your users really need, not by asking them what they want, but by going through a process of understanding what they are trying to accomplish.JoAnn Hackos and Janice (Ginny) Redish, internationally known experts in usable design, take you through a step-by-step process to conduct a user and task analysis.You learn:How interface designers use user and task analysis to build successful interfacesWhy knowledge of users, their tasks, and their environments is critical to successful designHow to prepare and set up your site visitsHow to select and train your user and task analysis teamWhat observations to make, questions to ask, and questions to avoidHow to record and report what you have learned to your development team membersHow to turn the information you’ve gathered into design ideasHow to create paper prototypes of your interface designHow to conduct usability tests with your prototypes to find out if you’re on the right track.This book includes many examples of design successes and challenges for products of every kind.