User-Centred Design (UCD) Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is User-Centred Design (UCD)?
A design philosophy focused on user needs, involving users throughout the process and emphasizing usability and understanding.
Why is UCD important?
Many product failures are due to a lack of understanding user needs, not a lack of technology.
What is the main problem with traditional software development?
It focuses on system functionality and automation, often ignoring interactivity and user needs.
What are the issues with the Waterfall model?
It lacks flexibility, assumes client not user requirements, and often results in designs that fail to meet user needs.
How does the Spiral model improve on Waterfall?
It allows iteration and feedback at each phase but still lacks direct user involvement.
What are Agile’s four core values?
- Individuals and interactions, 2. Working software, 3. Customer collaboration, 4. Responding to change.
Why invest in usability engineering?
To avoid costly changes later and to better understand and incorporate user needs into design.
What are signs of poor usability engineering?
Incorrect requirements, poor dialogue flow, and systems that are hard to use and untested.
What are the 4 elements of UCD?
- Places user at center, 2. Involves the user, 3. Integrates interdisciplinary knowledge, 4. Highly iterative.
What does the UCD process require?
Clearly understood requirements, designer communication, stakeholder involvement, user evaluation, and feedback.
What is Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)?
A holistic, interpretive approach to solving complex problems, focusing on user values and used in early design.
What is the Usability Engineering Lifecycle?
An iterative plan including requirements analysis, design/testing, and installation with feedback.
What is the Star Lifecycle?
An evaluation-centred, non-linear model encouraging iteration and flexible development.
What are pros and cons of the Star Lifecycle?
Pros: Flexible and realistic; Cons: Hard to control or track progress compared to procedural models.
What is Participatory Design (PD)?
A method that brings users into every stage of design, encouraging co-creation and collaboration.
What are the benefits of PD?
Increased user ownership, systems are more usable and contextually relevant.
What are the challenges of PD?
Time-consuming, hard to unify diverse user input, and managing expectations can be difficult.
What is Design Thinking?
A user-focused, iterative process with phases: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
What are the phases of the Double Diamond model?
- Discover, 2. Define, 3. Develop, 4. Deliver.
How does the Double Diamond structure design?
It separates the design process into divergent (exploring) and convergent (focusing) stages.
What is Lean UX?
A rapid, collaborative approach emphasizing MVPs, fast feedback, and iterative design.
What is the aim of Lean UX?
To get quick feedback on assumptions and designs through constant user involvement.
