Institutionalization of usability: a step-by-step guide

Eric Schaffer9780321179340, 032117934X

At one time, computer hardware was the key differentiator in information technology-what gave an organization it’s competitive edge. Then, as hardware prices fell, software took center stage. Today, software having become a broadly shared commodity, a new differentiator has emerged-usability. Applications, including Web sites, are usable if they are practical, useful, easy to work with, and satisfying. Usability is now the factor likeliest to give an organization a distinct advantage. Institutionalization of Usability shows how to make user-centered design and development a routine practice within an enterprise. Other excellent books explain precisely how to make software usable; this book builds on that foundation, and focuses instead on how to get usability recognized and incorporated into an organization’s values and culture. Based on author Eric Schaffer’s extensive experience, the book provides a solid methodology for institutionalizing usability, guiding readers step-by-step with practical advice on topics like organizational change, milestones, toolsets, infrastructure, and staffing requirements needed to achieve fully mature usability engineering.