1 designing and evaluating dss user interfaces why is the user interface the most important...
TRANSCRIPT
1
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces
Why is the user interface the most important component of a DSS?
2
User Interface: An Overview
A set of menus, icons, commands, graphics
Hardware and softwareProvides cues for desired actions by
the userA User Interface puzzle
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
3
User Interface: An Overview
A well-designed user interface can: Increase human processing speed Reduce errors Increase productivity Create a sense of user control
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
4
Issues Related to Building an Interface
User interface style Is the style or combination of styles
appropriate? What styles are used in the user interface?
Screen design and layout Is the design easy to understand and
attractive? Is the design symmetric and balanced?
5
Issues Related to Building an Interface
The human-software interaction sequence Is the interaction developed by the
software logical and intuitive? Do people respond predictably to the interaction sequence?
Use of colors, lines and graphics Are colors used appropriately? Do graphics
improve the design or distract the user?
6
Issues Related to Building an Interface
Information density Is too much information presented on a
screen? Can users control the information density?
Use of icons and symbols Are icons understandable?
Choice of input and output devices Do the devices fit the task?
7
User Interface Input Styles
Command-line InterfacesMenu InterfacesGraphical User InterfacesQuestion and Answer InterfacesVoice, touch, immersiveMost DSS use a combination of styles
Building Blocks
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
8
Command-Line
>RUN Analyzer
>LOAD sales.dat
>DISPLAY CHART
a method of interacting with a computer via a text terminal. Commands are entered as typed characters from a keyboard and output is also received as text. The > carat is the command prompt.
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
9
Menua list of entries for the user to choose from
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
10
Graphical User InterfaceA graphical user interface or GUI (pronounced "gooey")
use a mouse pointer to act on objects
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
11
Question and Answer
A type of dialogue in which a computer displays questions, one at a time, for a user to answer.
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
12
Voice, touch, immersive
Voice Command Language Natural language Immersive 3D User Interface A CAVE with four sides (three
walls and a floor) is used as a display and interaction space.
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
13
ROMC Design Approach
RepresentationsOperationsMemory AidsControl Aids
0
20
40
60
80
100
1st
Qtr
2nd
Qtr
3rd
Qtr
4th
Qtr
East
West
North
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
14
Innovative Representations
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
15
Operations
Operations are specific tasks that a decision-maker can perform with a DSS
For example, a DSS may have operators to gather data, generate a report, retrieve alternatives, rate alternatives, add alternatives, etc.
Analysts need to decide how operations will be controlled from the user interface. Will menus be used? Icons?
16
Memory Aids
Support the use of representations and operations
Example: icon tips
17
Control Aids
DSS control aids are intended to help decision-makers use representations, operations and memory aids
Control aids help decision-makers direct the use of the DSS
Generic control aids Save, edit, undo, and delete
18
Building the DSS User Interface
Get started - identify the user, brainstorm capabilities
Design screens and respond quickly to feedback
Pay attention to the interaction -- try it, analyze it, simplify it, change it, try it ...
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
19
Design Elements
Graphics are useful - communicate one main idea
Color enhances the interface Symmetry -- balanced proportions,
beauty of form Provide guidance to users
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
20
Guidelines
Strive for consistency Provide informative feedback Design dialogs to create closure Permit easy reversal of actions Reduce information overload
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power
21
Factors influencing design success
DSS speed Versatility of DSS -- multiple tasks Quality of on-line help Adaptability of the DSS Uniformity of interface Learning time Ease of recall Fun
The design of user interface software is not only expensive and time-consuming, but it is also critical for effective system performance.
Designing and Evaluating DSS User Interfaces, D. J. Power