Question

User Interface Design

Your company is working with Computer Security Inc. on a new system to process orders more quickly. Your manager has asked you to answer the following questing regarding the new system.

What are some of the user-centered considerations in systems design and how can you use these to help design the user interface for Computer Security Inc.’s new order processing system?

Suggest several types of controls such as command buttons, menu bars, check boxes, which might be used on a main menu/switchboard you plan to design. Explain why you chose each control, and create a storyboard that shows the switchboard layout.

Suggest several data entry techniques such as input masks and validation rules, which might be used on a data entry sub-menu you plan to design. Explain why you chose each technique, and create a storyboard that shows the data entry sub-menu layout.

Design a main menu for Computer Security Inc.’s order processing system.

Design at least one data entry sub-menu for Computer Security Inc.’s order processing system.

Suggest some reports that might be helpful to Computer Security Inc.’s order processing system. Give a specific example of what would be included on one of the reports suggested, and describe the layout for the reports.

Answer 1

1) Some principles for the system design are:

a) Focus on users and their needs taking into consideration the technical considerations as we are talking about the computer security sector.

b) Do a task analysis - tells us how people currently accomplish a task.

c) Start usability testing & evaluation early in the design process - tells whether a system performs acceptably when a user tries to carry out certain tasks.

d) requirement analysis - Tells us what a system should do.

e) design the system iteratively and allow it to evolve.

2) a) Command Buttons - it is used to begin, interrupt or end a process. When clicked, it invokes a command that has been written into its click event procedure.

b) Menu Bar - It is a graphical control element which contains drop-down menus. it has the menu which provide access to functions like opening of files, interacting with an application, or displaying help documentation or manuals.

c) Check boxes - It is a GUI(Graphical User Interface) widget that permits the user to make a binary choice i.e. a choice between two events. For example, "Yes" or "No".

3) Validation rule : It is a field property that sets limits or conditions on the data that can be entered in the field.

For example: You could require credit card expiration date entries to be later than the current date. ( so you know that the credit account is valid the day you take the order)

b) Input Mask - it is a field property that determines display format and limits the type of data that can be entered.

Common input mask: for a phone number field. A user enters the number and the resulting entry is automatically punctuated and displayed properly.

4)

5)

6) Some tips for optimizing order processing are:

a) Simplify, track and measure

b) Don't loose orders

c) Control risks and eliminate tasks that provide low added value

d) Proactively communicate with customers

e) Measure the results and continuously optimize the process.