Usability in product development practice: An exploratory case study comparing four markets

van Kuijk, J.I.; van Driel, Liesbeth; van Eijk, D.J.

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2014.10.007

Usability in product development practice

Title

Usability in product development practice: An exploratory case study comparing four markets

Author

van Kuijk, J.I. (TU Delft Applied Ergonomics and Design)
van Driel, Liesbeth
van Eijk, D.J. (TU Delft Applied Ergonomics and Design)

Date

2015

Abstract

This study explored how usability was dealt with in four product development organizations active in different sectors: high-end automotive, professional printers and copiers, office coffee makers and fast moving consumer goods. The primary differentiators of the selected cases were whether they were targeting businesses or consumers and the degree of product complexity. Interviews with 19 product development practitioners were conducted, focussing on three topics: 1) the product development process and the integration of user involvement, 2) multidisciplinary teamwork, and 3) organizational attitude towards usability. Based on the interviews, context descriptions of the companies were created and barriers and enablers for usability were identified. To verify the findings and to discuss remaining issues a feedback workshop was held in which the primary contact from each company participated. The results indicate that differences in product–market combination lead to differences in organizational attitude towards usability. The prioritization of usability in an organization seems to be influenced by the degree of product complexity (complex products are more prone to suffer from usability issues) and whether developers think that usability is a purchase consideration for their clients. The product–market combination a company targets also affects the methods for user-centred design that a company can apply and that are relevant. What methods for user-centred design are used also seems to be influenced by the attitude towards usability: if usability is considered more important, methods that require more resources can be applied.

Subject

Product ergonomics
Usability
Ergonomics integration

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:43dd9928-8402-464d-8ad3-c81e2cfd675d

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2014.10.007

Embargo date

2016-11-21

ISSN

0003-6870

Source

Applied Ergonomics: human factors in technology and society, 47 (March), 308-323