Abstract
A new concept of systems usability is introduced. Systems usability provides a holistic activity-oriented perspective to evaluation of the appropriateness of ICT–based smart tools. The concept has been developed in empirical studies of work in complex industrial environments. The nuclear power plant domain is used here to exemplify the systems usability concept and the method developed for evaluating it. In the chapter, we first identify four practical challenges that the current approaches in usability studies face: task analysis, data collection methods, usability measures, and inferences concerning the interface. As a solution to tackle these challenges we, then, introduce our concept of systems usability. To reach the demands of systems usability, work tools must fulfill all three functions of tools: the instrumental, psychological, and communicative. Because systems usability is visible in practices of using the tools we, finally, demonstrate how the developed method labeled contextual assessment of systems usability (CASU) is used for evaluating systems usability.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Beguin, P., & Rabardel, P. (2000) Designing for instrument mediated activity. Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems, 12, 173–190.
Dreyfus, H. L. (2001) The primacy of phenomenology over logical analysis. Paper presented at the EGOS, Uppsala.
Endsley, M. R. (1995) Measurement of situation awareness in dynamic systems. Human Factors, 37, 65–84.
Engeström, Y. (1987) Expansive Learning. Jyväskylä: Orienta.
Engeström, Y. (1999) Activity theory and individual and social transformation. In Y. Engeström & R. Miettinen & R.-L. Punamäki (Eds.), Perspectives in activity theory (pp. 19–38). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Engeström, Y., Miettinen, R., & Punamäki, R.-L. (Eds.). (1999). Perspectives on activity theory. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Eskola, A. (1999) Laws, logics, and human activity. In Y. Engeström & R. Miettinen & R.-L. Punamäki (Eds.), Perspectives in activity theory (pp. 107–114). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Gay, G., & Hembrooke, H. (2004) Activity-centered design. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Hollnagel, E. (Ed.). (2003) Handbook of cognitive task design. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Hornbæk, K. (2006) Current practice in measuring usability: Challenges to usability studies and research. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies(64), 79–102.
Hyysalo, S. (2004) Uses of innovation. Unpublished PhD, University of Helsinki, Helsinki.
IAEA (2002) Recruitment, qualification and training of personnel for NPP. Safety Guide (Safety Standard Series NS-G.2.8). Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency.
ISO (1998) ISO 9241-11. Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VTDs) – Part 11. Guidance on usability.
Järvilehto, T. (1998) The theory of organism-environment system (I). Description of the theory. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 33(4), 317–330.
Long, J. (1996) Specifying relations between research and the design of human – computer interactions. International Journal of Human Computer Studies, 44, 875–920.
MacIntyre, A. (1984) After virtue: Study in moral theory (2nd Ed.). Notre Dame, Indianana: University of Notre Dame Press.
MAUSE (2006) Cost Action 294 Towards the MAturation of Information Technology USability Evaluation. http://www.cost294.org.
Nielsen, J. (1993) Usability engineering. Boston: Academic Press.
Norros, L. (2004) Acting under uncertainty. The core-task analysis in ecological study of work (Vol. Publications 546). Espoo: VTT, Available also URL: http//www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/.
Norros, L., & Klemola, U-M. (2005) Naturalistic analysis of anaesthetists clinical practice. In Montgomery, H., Lipshitz, R & Brehmer, B. (Eds.), How experts make decision (pp. 395–407). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Norros, L., & Savioja, P. (2005, October 16th–21st). Theoretical justification of performance indicators for integrated validation of complex systems. Paper presented at the Enlarged Halden programme Group meeting, Lillehammer.
Nuutinen, M. (2005) Expert identity construct in analyzing prerequisites for expertise development: A case study in nuclear power plant operators’ on-the-job training. Cognition, Technology and Work, 7(4), 288–305.
Nuutinen, M., & Norros, L. (in press) Core task analysis in accident investigation – analysis of maritime accidents in piloting situations. Cognition, Technology & Work.
Petersen, M., Madsen, K., & Kjær, A. (2002) The usability of everyday technology-emerging and fading opportunities. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 9(2), 74–105.
Rückriem, G. (2003) Tool or medium? The meaning of information and telecommunication technology to human practice. A quest for systemic understanding of activity theory. University of Helsinki, Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research. Retrieved on 19.4.2004 from the World Wide Web.
Savioja, P. & Norros, L. (2004) Evaluation of operator practices as means of integrated system validation. Proceedings of the Fourth American Nuclear Society International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Controls and Human-machine Interface Technologies, Columbus, Ohio.
Thomas, P. (2002) Introduction to the new usability. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 9(2), 69–73.
Vicente, K. J. (1999) Cognitive work analysis. Toward a safe, productive, and healthy computer-based work. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978) Mind in society. The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Savioja, P., Norros, L. (2008). Systems Usability — Promoting Core-Task Oriented Work Practices. In: Law, E.LC., Hvannberg, E.T., Cockton, G. (eds) Maturing Usability. Human-Computer Interaction Series. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-941-5_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-941-5_6
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-84628-940-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-941-5
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)