Theory Based Design: From Individual Users and Tasks to Collaborative Systems

Abstract

How do we design computer systems so that they are useful and efficient arte-facts that improve the quality and productivity of our lives? What explanations can we offer as to why some systems achieve this and others fail? How can we predict which systems or system features are going to be usable and useful and which ones are not? If we knew how to answer these questions then we would be in a better position to design and evaluate computer systems. Moreover, we would be developing an explanatory understanding of HCI and furthering the discipline of computing as a science. This paper provides an example of an explanatory, causal account of HCI that shows how models and principles for HCI can be developed from theory and practice. In particular, the paper considers principles for designing user interfaces to support user tasks. It goes on to consider how further factors need to be considered in the design of collaborative and mobile systems to support healthcare. How these can be modelled to provide an explanatory, causal understanding of relevant aspects of human computer interaction is discussed. The implications of this for further principles of design and evaluation are considered. Examples are provided from current work with theoretical, empirical and design considerations made.