Human-computer interaction in IBM

Abstract

Usability is a critical factor in technology adoption decisions. As an enterprise that researches, develops, and implements technology solutions, IBM is committed to building usability into products through methods, and tools, and practitioner skills. This session looks at Human-Computer interaction from the perspective of practitioners working in a commercial context. It reviews the practical use of HCl techniques to design hardware and software, contrasts HCl as a field of research with usability as domain of practice, and compares skills transfer in industry with theory-based HCl teaching in universities. It outlines the tools and methods used within IBM with an introduction to User Engineering, an iteration of User-Centred design with a strong emphasis on UML modelling, business focus, and quantitative analysis. It concludes with a selection of case studies that illustrate HCl in action in business and government.