Usability Assessment Tools

A variety of tools are available to conduct usability assessments. Some of these tools are used throughout the development process to support user task definition, evaluation, and documentation.  Examples are task analyses in the form of functional flow diagrams, flow process charts, decision/action diagrams, operational sequence diagrams, and human error analyses.

Some tools are appropriate to early stages of system development, such as paper and pencil or whiteboard sketches, hand-drawn flowcharts, and PowerPoint® (or equivalent) screen mock-ups.  These require few equipment or material resources and can be used to quickly focus design team discussions on task flow definition, information needs, interface concepts, and preliminary screen designs.

Other tools are more suited to the later development stages and become progressively more sophisticated as the system becomes more defined.   Beginning with computer-based rapid prototyping, Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing and modeling, usability assessments transition to more realistic system representations, such as physical mock-ups, part-task, virtual reality, and full fidelity simulators.

The Air MIDAS modeling tool was used for this 3-D CAD model of a bio-mechanically & anthropometrically scaled maintainer and equipment interface. Such modeling can be used to evaluate access to components for repair or removal and replacement. (NASA Ames image)

This NASA Virtual Airport Tower, full-scale simulation facility, emulates Level 5 Air Traffic Control Towers and busiest airports. It is used for Human Factors studies with actual Air Traffic Controllers, Airline Dispatchers, and Airport Managers. (NASA photo)