Assess usability capability

Summary

Use the usability maturity model contained in ISO TR 18529 to identify the capability of an organisation to apply user centred design methods, and areas for potential improvement.

Benefits

Identifies any gaps in an organisation's capability to apply user centred design.
Can also be used as part of a SPICE assessment of software capability.

Method

Prerequisites

The assessor must obtain a copy of, and be familiar with, the usability maturity model contained in ISO TR 18529 (see below).

Planning

Review the seven categories of user centred processes

Ensure UCD content in system strategy (5 processes)
Plan and manage the UCD process (8 processes)
Specify stakeholder and organisational requirements (6 processes)
Understand and specify the context of use (5 processes)
Produce design solutions (8 processes)
Evaluate designs against requirements (6 processes)
Introduce and operate the system (6 processes)

Decide if they are all relevant
Timetable a one day workshop attended by people knowledgeable in each area being assessed

Process improvement workshop

Review each process in detail.
Score each process as: Not, Partly, Largely or Fully performed.
Note whether the process is managed (a documented part of normal procedures)
Establish a target level for each process on the same scales.Reporting
Document for each process the current and desired levels, whether it is managed and the suggested action (if any).

More information

More information can be found in: Usability Maturity ModelJonathan Earthy (1998). The Nigel Bevan.

The ISO Technical Report: ISO TR 18529 (2000) "Human-centred lifecycle process descriptions" is available from ISO.

See the TRUMP case studies.

Next steps

Agree a process improvement plan to help the organisation increase its capability for processes where improvement is required. This is most easily achieved by someone experienced in user centred design methods demonstrating how to apply them to a real project.