Tutorial: 10. Structured Observation: Practical Methods for Understanding Users and Their Work in Context

Susan M. Dray, Dray & Associates

Benefits
You will learn how to plan for and carry out observations of users. A heavy emphasis is placed on practical steps for the designer to take that will lead to success.

Origins
This is an updated version of a highly-regarded CHI 97 tutorial.

Features

• learn what Structured Observation techniques are
• learn four types of Structured Observation techniques: naturalistic observation, contextual inquiry, usability roundtable, artifact walk through
• practice doing a Structured Observation (using Naturalistic Observation)
• identify next steps for data analysis and use in design
• learn when and how to apply these tools to the software development process

Audience
Anyone who wants to understand how users work in order to do a better job of system design. Developers, designers and managers who are responsible for customer needs analysis and identifying user requirements.

Presentation
Lecture, group discussion and small group exercises to obtain practical experience performing structured observation.

Instructor
Susan M. Dray has a Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA and has worked as researcher, manager and consultant in the organizational design and use the of technology at Honeywell, Inc., American Express Financial Advisors and most recently, as an independent consultant who has published numerous articles. She is a Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). She has been active with the CHI conferences since CHI 84. She was the North American Editor of the international journal, Behaviour and Information Technology and currently edits the Business Views column of interactions.

Related Tutorials

• 17. Getting Started on a Contextual Project (Sunday afternoon)
• 25. Contextual Design: Using Customer Work Models to Drive Systems Design (Monday)
• 32. Conceptual Design: From User Requirements to User Interface (Monday morning)