SST 102 Human Factors System Design Group Assignment 01

Sst 102 Human Factors System Designgroup Based Assignment 01

Analyze the user interface and usability of the FoodPanda app, evaluating its strengths and shortcomings. Propose human factors changes and enhancements to improve the application's usability based on user-centered design principles, human-computer interaction (HCI), and best practices in interface design.

Paper For Above instruction

The FoodPanda app exemplifies a well-structured approach to delivering food delivery services through an intuitive and user-friendly interface, yet there remain areas that can benefit from human factors and usability enhancements. Analyzing its design through the lens of HCI principles reveals both strengths and opportunities for improvement to refine user experience, minimize errors, and maximize efficiency.

Strengths of the FoodPanda Interface

The app's design adheres to several principles of human-computer interaction, notably consistency, visibility, and user control. The initial display with clear options such as "Delivery", "Pick-up", and "Shops" aligns with the principle of visibility, guiding users quickly toward the primary actions. The use of familiar icons and a simple color scheme—white and pink—are effective in creating a contrast that helps users distinguish different elements without overwhelming visual clutter. This simplicity supports learnability, especially for novice users, and reinforces the system's consistency across different screens.

The task flow aligns with the real-world process, assisting in recognition rather than recall, which enhances usability. For example, scrolling up and down to view menu items mimics physical movement, and the clear segmentation of steps—from menu selection to customization, cart review, and payment—mirrors natural task progression, reducing cognitive load. Additionally, error handling mechanisms such as specific, constructive messages—like the validation of mobile number input—improve error recovery by maintaining clarity on issues and preventing user frustration. The app also incorporates real-time updates like delivery status and estimated arrival time, providing users with visibility into system processes, which boosts confidence and satisfaction.

Shortcomings and Human Factors Considerations

While the FoodPanda app demonstrates many strengths, several human factors issues warrant attention. Firstly, the reliance on touch-based interactions can pose difficulties for users with motor impairments or elderly users unfamiliar with small touch targets. Although margins between icons are mentioned, optimizing these for accessibility—by increasing sizes and touch areas—delivers better inclusivity.

The navigation could benefit from enhanced feedback mechanisms. While status updates are provided, more prominent visual cues—such as color-coded alerts or vibration feedback for critical errors—can further reduce reliance on reading detailed messages, thereby reducing cognitive effort. Moreover, the input fields, while generally effective, could be improved by adding autofill features and predictive input to assist quick data entry, especially during address verification or contact details.

Another area of potential concern is information overload. The app offers multiple features like search bars, notifications, help pages, and ratings, which might overwhelm some users, especially first-time users. Implementing a streamlined onboarding process with guided tutorials or contextual hints can ease navigation and promote smarter use of features.

Proposed Human Factors Enhancements

• Accessibility Improvements: Increase touch target sizes, improve contrast ratios, and incorporate voice-command functionalities to aid users with disabilities.
• Visual Feedback & Alerts: Use more prominent visual cues such as color badges (e.g., red for errors, green for success) and haptic feedback to confirm user actions or alert them about issues.
• Guided User Onboarding: Embed onboarding tutorials that highlight key features, navigation tips, and error recovery methods, reducing learning curves for new users.
• Contextual Assistance: Introduce tooltips or inline help options tailored to specific stages of the ordering process, improving comprehension of complex features like customization or payment options.
• Simplified Navigation: Reduce clutter by prioritizing core functionalities on the main screen while hiding advanced options under expandable menus, thus tailoring complexity to user expertise levels.

Enhancing Usability through User-Centered Design

Applying user-centered design principles, such as iterative testing and feedback incorporation, can significantly improve the FoodPanda app's effectiveness. Conducting usability testing with representative user groups—covering diverse ages, disabilities, and technological proficiency—will unveil real-world challenges and guide refinements. Personalization features, like saving preferred addresses or favorite food items, can expedite repeat orders, thereby increasing efficiency and satisfaction.

Furthermore, ensuring that error messages are not only specific but also suggest corrective actions empowers users to recover swiftly without frustration. For instance, if an invalid phone number is entered, the system can highlight the field in red, provide a message instructing the user on acceptable formats, and focus cursor placement for correction, following the principles of error prevention and recovery.

Conclusion

The FoodPanda app demonstrates a commendable alignment with core HCI principles by emphasizing simplicity, visibility, and user control. Nonetheless, integrating advanced human factors considerations—particularly accessibility, feedback mechanisms, onboarding support, and personalization—can substantially elevate the user experience. Continuous user testing, feedback solicitation, and iterative design will ensure that the app remains usable, inclusive, and efficient, ultimately fostering higher satisfaction and loyalty among users.

References

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