Integrating User-Centered Design Knowledge with Scenarios

Abstract

This chapter explores issues related to integration, management, and use of multidisciplinary, user-centered system design knowledge. A pressing need exists for theory, techniques, and tools for management of the knowledge emergent in complex system development efforts. Challenges to effective system design knowledge management are many, and span the range of engineering, psychological, and social sciences. We need repositories and other points of exchange for system design knowledge, and conceptual catalysts to support value-added integration of the results from multi-disciplinary, user-centered design research and practice. This chapter outlines a research program for design knowledge management based on the use of scenarios as anchors for design rationale, and on the importance of interaction activity design as a means to make this knowledge accessible. We describe an example of how the approach is being applied and report on our on-going projects in the area.