Assignment # 04

Topic: Need Finding

Submitted To
Dr. Umer Shoaib
Submitted By

Fizza Laeeq (16201519-012)

Zarqa (16201519-069)

Hira Altaf (16201519-086)

Section B
Human Computer Interaction
Due Date
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Fall – 2019

Department of Computer Science

Faculty of Computing and Information Technology
University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus
Lotus Notes
Existing Interface Problems:
The interface is visually overloaded with information which makes the users confused and
uncomfortable. All options appear congested which make users vague to select the required
option. The layout is not flexible which create difficulties to discover the required target. The
initial sight of this software gives the impression that it will be a burden to understand and
getting it to work.

Solution to bad design:

Need finding:
Users strongly prefer:
 Ease of use.
 Visibility of system status.
 Consistent and flexible layout.
 Services and environments that are aesthetically pleasing.
 Simple and minimalist design.
 Information and visual data that is easy to understand and discoverable.
 To leave the unwanted state easily.
 Efficient error handling.
 Help in case of any query.

Selected Method for need finding:

Participant observation:
We have used this method to observe people in order to discover their needs, goals and values.
We have observed this software interface ourselves and showed it to the university fellows. The
experience of our university fellows helps us to get better idea about the problems in design.
Following questions help us to observe users:
1. What do people do now?
Users find it difficult to navigate their required target. They get confused and annoyed
because of overloaded information. Due to these issues users avoid to use such
interfaces.

2. What values and goals do people have?

Users strongly prefer aesthetic and minimal layout which is consistent and flexible.
They require information and visual data that is easy to understand and discoverable.
And in case of any emergency they prefer to leave the unwanted state.
 3. How are these particular activities embedded in a larger context?

Mostly people prefer to use this software for business purpose. They used it to keep
track of their business meetings, important mails, and notes. It may be used to build
electronic workflow applications that can create requests, notify approvers via email and
process the requests once the approval is granted.

4. What are similarities and differences across people?

Similarities: Users prefer to navigate their required target easily. They need help and
documentation to avoid inconvenience. And in case of any emergency they prefer to
leave the unwanted state like undo and redo options.

Differences: Every user requires different color and texture for their interfaces. Some
prefer large text size as compared to others. Some prefer detailed information of
everything while others want only brief information to be visible.

5. What are other types of context (like time of day)?

User wants 24/7 availability of the services and less response time. The software should
be compatible with most of the systems.

GatesNfences

Existing Interfaces Problems:

This interface design is against the principle of Visibility. The navigation content and the
interactions are not clear which results in poor understanding of website. The interface is visually
overloaded with information which makes the users confused. The layout is not flexible and
minimalist which create difficulties to discover the required target.

Solution to bad design:

Need finding:
Users strongly prefer:
 Ease of use and navigation.
 Familiar metaphor and language.
 Flexible and consistent layout.
 Services and environments that are aesthetically pleasing.
 Simple and minimalist design.
  Information and visual data that is easy to understand and discoverable.
 Control and freedom.
 Error recognition and prevention.
 Help in case of any query.

Selected Method for need finding:

Participant observation:
We have used this method to observe people in order to discover their needs, goals and values.
We have observed this website interface ourselves and showed it to university fellows. The
experience of our university fellows helps us to get better idea about the problems in design.
Following questions help us to observe users:
1. What do people do now?
Users find it difficult to navigate because the interactions and navigation content are not
clear. They get confused and annoyed because of overloaded information. They get
frustrated when there is no help and documentation available in case of any query. Due
to these issues users avoid to use such interfaces.

2. What values and goals do people have?

Users require information and visual data that is easy to understand and discoverable.
They strongly prefer minimalist layout which is consistent and efficient. And in case of
any emergency they prefer to leave the unwanted state easily. Help and documentation
should be provided to avoid inconvenience.

3. How are these particular activities embedded in a larger context?

Nowadays, users prefer to use e-commerce to purchase their required product instead of
going to the market themselves. With the improved e-commerce services, the user can
get customized and top-quality products with fast delivery.

4. What are similarities and differences across people?

Similarities: Users prefer to navigate their required target easily. They need help and
documentation to avoid inconvenience. They prefer error prevention, recognition and
recovery.

Differences: Some prefer large text size as compared to others. Every user requires
different color and texture for their interfaces.

5. What are other types of context (like time of day)?

User wants 24/7 availability of the services and less response time. Most users prefer to
use services in working hours.