In this article, the authors discuss the importance of understanding the audience’s perspective when designing computer-based systems. They introduce the concept of contextual inquiry, which involves actively seeking out and gathering information about the users’ work practices, goals, and experiences to inform system design. The authors emphasize that by doing so, designers can create systems that are more usable and effective for their intended audience.
Problem Conceptualization
The authors explain that problem conceptualization is a crucial step in the design process, as it helps designers identify the key issues they need to address. They suggest using a spreadsheet to decompose the problem into smaller parts, identify relevant datasets, and explore different ways of tackling the problem. The article provides an example of how to use a spreadsheet to identify the user’s work practices and goals.
Identifying Relevant Datasets
The authors stress the importance of identifying relevant datasets for the problem at hand. They provide examples of data sources, such as interviews with users or observations of their work practices. The article also shows how to use online data sources to add useful columns to a table and how to score data based on publicly available information.
Figuring Out How to Clean and Structure Data
The authors explain that cleaning and structuring data is essential for effective analysis. They suggest using spreadsheets to organize data, apply analytical strategies, and develop insights. The article provides an example of how to put data in a spreadsheet and use it for analysis.
Developing an Analytical Strategy
The authors discuss the importance of developing an analytical strategy that involves applying multiple features in multiple steps. They explain how to use spreadsheets to perform data analysis, including filtering, sorting, and aggregating data. The article also shows how to use spreadsheet functions to perform calculations and create visualizations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the authors emphasize the importance of understanding the audience’s perspective in system design. They provide practical advice on how to use contextual inquiry and spreadsheets to gather information about users, identify relevant datasets, clean and structure data, and develop an analytical strategy. By following these steps, designers can create systems that are more usable and effective for their intended audience.
