Below Is How The Question Starts And Answers Both Questions

Below Is How The Question Starts Answer Both Questions A And Btots T

Below is how the question starts: ANSWER BOTH QUESTIONS a and b Tots to Teens is a catalog retailer specializing in children’s clothing. A project has been under way to develop a new order entry system for the company’s catalog clerks. The old system had a character-based user interface that corresponded to the system’s COBOL underpinnings. The new system will feature a graphical user interface more in keeping with up-to-date PC products in use today. The company hopes that this new user interface will help reduce the turnover it has experienced with its order entry clerks.

Many newly hired order entry staff found the old system very difficult to learn and were overwhelmed by the numerous mysterious codes that had to be used to communicate with the system. A user interface walk-through evaluation was scheduled for today to give the user a first look at the new system’s interface. The project team was careful to invite several key users from the order entry department. In particular, Norma was included because of her years of experience with the order entry system. Norma was known to be an informal leader in the department; her opinion influenced many of her associates.

Norma had let it be known that she was less than thrilled with the ideas she had heard for the new system. Owing to her experience and good memory, Norma worked very effectively with the character-based system and was able to breeze through even the most convoluted transactions with ease. Norma had trouble suppressing a sneer when she heard talk of such things as “icons” and “buttons” in the new user interface. Cindy was also invited to the walk-through because of her influence in the order entry department. Cindy has been with the department for just one year, but she quickly became known because of her successful organization of a sick child daycare service for the children of the department workers.

Sick children are the number-one cause of absenteeism in the department, and many of the workers could not afford to miss workdays. Never one to keep quiet when a situation needed improvement, Cindy has been a vocal supporter of the new system a) Draw upon the design principles presented in the text, describe the features of the user interface that will be most important to experienced users like Norma. b) Drawing upon the design principles presented in the text, describe the features of the user interface that will be most important to novice users like Cindy.

Paper For Above instruction

The development and implementation of user interfaces are critical components in the success of software systems, especially in contexts such as order entry systems where efficiency, accuracy, and user satisfaction are paramount. The contrasting perspectives of experienced users like Norma and novice users like Cindy underscore the importance of designing flexible, user-centric interfaces that can adapt to varied skill levels and preferences.

Features of the User Interface Important to Experienced Users

Experienced users like Norma bring a wealth of familiarity with traditional, character-based interfaces and possess strong mental models of the underlying system processes. As such, their needs revolve around efficiency, control, and familiarity. Design principles from human-computer interaction (HCI) emphasize the importance of providing power-user features that cater to their expertise.

Firstly, keyboard shortcuts and command-line options are vital as they enable quick access to functions without navigating through graphical menus. Norma’s proficiency with the old system suggests that providing such shortcut functionalities preserves her efficiency. Additionally, customizable interfaces, including configurable workspaces and command macros, allow Norma to tailor her workflow to her preferences, reducing cognitive load.

Consistent and predictable interfaces aligned with her mental model are crucial. Norma’s ease with complex transactions indicates her reliance on a logical, structured flow of commands, which should be preserved in the new system. Features like comprehensive keyboard navigation and detailed transaction logs further support her need for control and accuracy, allowing Norma to verify and debug processes efficiently.

Finally, extensive help documentation and advanced search functionalities support Norma’s confidence in her expertise. While she may resist overly simplified interfaces, integrating layers of complexity that she can access via expert modes or advanced settings aligns with the principle of designing for flexibility, ensuring Norma remains comfortable and productive.

Features of the User Interface Important to Novice Users

In contrast, novice users such as Cindy require an intuitive, guided, and supportive environment that minimizes the learning curve and reduces frustration. The principles of user-centered design dictate that interfaces for beginners should be simple, visually comprehensible, and forgiving of errors.

Icons, buttons, and visual cues play a significant role in helping novices understand available functions without memorizing codes or commands. The use of large, clearly labeled icons and a consistent layout helps users learn the system through visual recognition and direct manipulation—concepts central to Norman’s design principles of affordance and visibility.

Step-by-step workflows, wizards, and contextual help are essential features to support Cindy's learning process. These features guide her through complex transactions and provide immediate assistance when needed, thereby promoting confidence and independent use. The interface should also include error prevention mechanisms like validation prompts and undo options to avoid discouraging mistakes.

Furthermore, the interface should be forgiving and adaptable, offering different modes such as a ‘basic’ view focused on core functions for beginners and an ‘advanced’ view for more experienced users. This approach aligns with Nielsen’s usability heuristics of flexibility and simplicity, ensuring the system remains accessible while allowing for growth in proficiency.

In addition, providing training resources, contextual tooltips, and onboarding tutorials support Cindy's development from novice to more experienced user, fostering user satisfaction and ultimately facilitating smoother adoption of the new system.

Conclusion

The success of the new order entry system hinges on a user interface that accommodates the distinct needs of both experienced and novice users. By implementing features that respect Norma’s expertise—such as keyboard shortcuts, control options, and detailed feedback—and supporting Cindy’s learning with visual cues, guided workflows, and error prevention, the design can enhance overall usability. A flexible, user-centric approach ensures the system meets diverse user needs, improves productivity, and reduces resistance to change, ultimately contributing to the system’s success and organizational goals.

References

• Norman, D. A. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition. Basic Books.
• Shneiderman, B., & Plaisant, C. (2010). Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction. Pearson.
• Johnson, J. (2014). Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding Human Factors and Ergonomics. Morgan Kaufmann.
• Rogers, Y., Sharp, H., & Preece, J. (2015). Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. Wiley.
• Polson, P. G., & Lewis, C. (1990). Going Beyond the Problem of Usability: Cognitive Strategies for Designing Human–Computer Interaction. Morgan Kaufmann.
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• Vredenburg, K., Isensee, S., & Righi, C. (2002). User-Centered Design: An Integrated Approach. Pearson.