Key Principles for User-Centred Systems Design

Abstract

The concept of user-centered systems design (UCSD) has no agreed upon definition. Consequently, there is a great variety in the ways it is applied, which may lead to poor quality and poor usability in the resulting systems, as well as misconceptions about the effectiveness of UCSD. The purpose of this chapter is to propose a definition of UCSD. We have identified 12 key principles for the adoption of a user-centered development process, principles that are based on existing theory, as well as research in and experiences from a large number of software development projects. The initial set of principles were applied and evaluated in a case study and modified accordingly. These principles can be used to communicate the nature of UCSD, evaluate a development process or develop systems development processes that support a user-centered approach. We also suggest activity lists and some tools for applying UCSD.

Note: This chapter is reproduced from Gulliksen et al., 2003b, with permission from Taylor & Francis