Knowledge-Based User-Computer Interface Design, Prototyping and Evaluation - the Design Pro Advisory System

摘要

This report details the development of the DesignPro interactive computer-based advisory system for user-computer interface (UCI) design, prototyping and evaluation. DesignPro permits designers of user computer interfaces to represent requirements, to build prototypes, and to evaluate their impact -- all via a 'workbench' of user accessible functions. DesignPro supports the UCI designer; it does not call for the replacement of human UCI expertise in the design process. The methodology assumes that commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software can be used to create an integrated environment for designing, prototyping and evaluating interactive user computer interaction routines. The overall process includes interaction among knowledge templates to develop a requirements model that, in turn, helps yield displays and UCI routines which, in turn, suggest a prototyping strategy which, in turn, identifies evaluation tactics. Anchored in the systems engineering approach to interactive systems design and development, an initial prototype of DesignPro was released in January 1993; refinements were made to the prototype with a final prototype released in August 1995. The prototypes were used to validate workstation requirements and to communicate what the system does, as well as permitted the integration of concepts, tools, and COTS software programs into the design.