Importance of Usability in User-centered Design

September 11, 2015

The main purpose of User Centered Design (UCD) is to manufacture products which have very high degree of usability. This term can be defined as the techniques which actually measures which how efficiently the products can be used by the specific users and also helps to gain the desired goals by the users. It makes the process of designing more efficient, effective and thus it helps to earn satisfaction to its users. This process is also easy to learn and implement practically.

From the perspective of a user, the process of usability is certainly important as it can make the differences between performing a process or task completely and not being able to that. Again from the perspective of a developer, usability is important as it can make the differences between the success and failure of the system. Again from the point of view of a manager, software with efficient usability can boost up the level of production system but due to the poor level of usability the productivity or the performance of any workforce can be minimized to some level which paves the way of a big loss to the entire company. In every hooks and corners of any production system, the lack of usability can be the cause of the losses of the time and efforts. This term can entirely determine the success or the failure of any system.

The main objectives of the usability

  • Effectiveness: It actually indicates the ease of use of the program. It is a quantitative measurement of the speed of its performance to the errors performed. It is calculated in percentage process.
  • Usefulness: This helps the users to achieve the goals that are set up by them or by the program.
  • Attitude: It deals with the perception, opinion, overview or feelings of the users which can be captured by written communication or by the oral one.
  • Learnability: It is the ability of the users to be able to operate the system with efficiency and competence after having some periods of training.