User-Centered Design Methodology

Overview

How Our User-Focused Process Earns You a
Solid Return on Investment

Have you been to a web site and not found what you're looking for? Or tried to use an application, unable to complete a seemingly simple task?

Research shows that 39% of shoppers failed in their buying attempts because e-commerce sites were too difficult to navigate. (Source: Enos, L., "E-Holiday Glitches Could Cost $15B," E-Commerce Times, October 17, 2000)

User-centered design is a design approach that focuses attention on the user. Our process follows a series of well-defined methods and techniques for analysis, design and evaluation of hardware, software and web interfaces, including usability goals, user characteristics, environment, tasks and workflow. (Source: Henry, Shawn Lawton and Martinson, Mary, Accessibility in User-Centered Design)

By incorporating user-centered design into your web site or application project, you can:

• Increase your product's value to your customers
• Avoid unexpected future costs from failed designs
• Reduce your development cost by detecting design problems early and increasing your web site or application's efficiency and focus

That's why we place the user at the center of our development process. By employing our TerpSys User-Centered Design Methodology, we produce web sites and applications with a high degree of usability, which means users are able to achieve their specific goals easily and intuitively, leading to satisfaction -- and, ultimately, your success.

Our TerpSys User-Centered Design Methodology consists of five stages. This process is both sequential and iterative. So, while the information we gather at each stage filters into the next, each of these steps are repeated from the initiation of the project through implementation.

1. User definition determines what audiences will be using your web site or application.
2. Purposes & features gathers pertinent information to determine what is needed to make your web site or application more user focused.
3. Information architecture structures your web site or application so that users can accomplish what they want to do easily and intuitively. Traditional usability testing begins in this stage.
4. Design incorporates user-centered design "best practices" to create web site pages that help, not hinder, users from accomplishing their online goals. We then usability test the design prototypes to ensure user satisfaction.
5. Content develops messaging and language that enables users to quickly and intuitively find information they are looking for.

In addition to these stages, we also offer usability testing services. By gauging user feedback directly, we can tailor your solutions to maximize user goals and enhance the user experience.

Learn about User Definition - Phase 1 of the TerpSys User-Centered Design Methodology