A two-phase model for usability evaluation of software user interfaces

There is currently a focus on usability of interactive computer software. Previous research in software ergonomics has indicated the importance of evaluating the usability of software user interfaces. Software developers, interface designers or human foctors engineers often confront the task of comparative evaluation among systems, versions or interface designs. This study presents a structured model for comparative evaluation of user interface designs using usability criteria and measures. The proposed model consists of twomain phases : the prescreening phase ad the evaluation phase. The first phase involves expert judgment-based approach with qualitative criteria. The prescreening phase uses absolute measurement analytic hierarchy process to filter possible altermative interfaces to a reasonable subset. The second phase involves user-based approach such as usability testing, with quantitative criteria. The objective of the evaluation phase is to evaluate a subset of altermatives using objective measures. A set of criteria and measures for evaluating the usability of computer software designs is presented. The proposed model provides practitioners with a structured approach to select the best interface based on usability criteria and measures.