Week 7 Case Study 3 Submission If You Are Using The Blackboa
Week 7 Case Study 3 Submissionif You Are Using The Blackboard Mobile L
Analyze the new system and determine the design issues with this new system. Describe how you would correct the design issues with the system to make the restaurant managers happy. Create a design plan that: lists and explains the tasks associated with improving this interface, contains at least six (6) tasks, includes realistic time estimates for each task, analyzes the development, testing, and implementation of the system in your plan. Examine how this system balanced security and usability, and explain the challenges of incorporating system security and usability into a design. Suggest changes that could be made to the security of this system to meet security objectives while improving usability. Use Microsoft Visio or an open-source alternative (e.g., Dia) to create a graphical representation of your proposed interface. Include at least three high-quality resources in your assignment, formatted according to APA standards. The paper should be 5-8 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 pt font, with one-inch margins. Include a cover page and reference page, which are not part of the page count. Ensure all diagrams are embedded in the document and that the writing is clear, concise, and free of errors.
Paper For Above instruction
The rapid deployment of innovative technology solutions in fast-food restaurant chains aims to enhance operational efficiency, security, and customer service. However, introducing such systems can lead to unforeseen challenges, especially when the design does not consider usability and practical workflow. The case of the new touch screen register system illustrates numerous issues that undermine the operational effectiveness of the technology, revealing critical lessons in human-computer interaction (HCI) design principles.
Analysis of the System and Identified Design Issues
The system described presents several core design challenges. First, the login process is cumbersome, relying solely on user IDs and passwords. The system allows four incorrect password attempts before locking the register, which is standard; however, the lockout duration of three minutes without an option for immediate reset or workaround causes workflow delays. Additionally, the lockout mechanism restricts reopening the register only to the same cashier, complicating shift changes or breaks, leading to frustrations among managers and cashiers.
Secondly, the interface layout appears to facilitate password input errors, hinting at poor ergonomic design and insufficient attention to usability. Grease accumulation on touchscreens further exacerbates the problem, reducing responsiveness and increasing the number of input errors. Such physical issues indicate a lack of ergonomic considerations and maintenance planning.
Third, the process of reboots after shift changes or system lockouts is inefficient, with a downtime of 3-5 minutes. Combined with cashiers forgetting credentials and other cashiers logging in for them, these issues highlight systemic flaws in authentication management, accountability, and physical interface durability.
Often overlooked, the safety and security of user authentication are compromised when cashiers-doing hurried shifts, neglect logouts, or circumvent lockouts by multiple users. This behavior risks unauthorized access and data compromise, leading to a broader security concern.
Furthermore, the system's physical aspect—grease buildup—compounds the usability issues, showing poor design for the restaurant environment. These physical and security defects demonstrate that the overall system creates a frustrating experience that hinders daily operations, risking staff compliance and system integrity.
Proposed Corrections to the Design Issues
To address these issues, a comprehensive redesign focusing on usability, physical ergonomics, and security management is essential. First, implementing a biometric authentication method such as fingerprint recognition or facial recognition could replace passwords, reducing input errors and login time. These technologies can streamline access, especially in environments prone to grease and dirt, maintaining system accessibility even with physical contaminants.
Second, a session timeout that automatically logs users out after a period of inactivity can reduce the risk of unauthorized access if cashiers forget to log out. Paired with an automatic logout feature and a quick reopen process, this would improve both security and usability.
Third, physical hardware improvements such as using grease-resistant touchscreens or adding an easy-to-clean interface can mitigate responsiveness issues. Alternatively, incorporating keyboards or hardware buttons limited to essential functions can decrease reliance on touchscreens altogether.
Fourth, the system should integrate role-based access controls, wherein managers can override or reset user sessions without rebooting the entire system, reducing downtime. Managers should also have access to real-time system activity logs to monitor contributions and detect potential security breaches.
Fifth, contextual design improvements, like larger, more tactile buttons for password input, reduce errors, especially under hectic conditions. Additionally, a simplified login process, such as a quick PIN or biometric method, allows swift access during busy periods.
Lastly, staff training sessions emphasizing proper logging protocols can reduce accidental logouts or unauthorized login occurrences, fostering a culture of security awareness.
Design Plan: Tasks, Development, Testing, and Implementation
- Task 1: Conduct User Research and Environment Analysis (Time Estimate: 2 weeks) – Gather input from actual cashiers and managers to understand workflow issues and physical environment constraints. Develop environmental assessments focusing on screen durability and usability under greasy conditions.
- Task 2: Design Interface Improvements and Hardware Selection (Time Estimate: 3 weeks) – Collaborate with hardware providers to select suitable grease-resistant touchscreens and tactile buttons. Develop prototypes of revised interface layouts with larger, more responsive elements.
- Task 3: Develop Authentication and Security Protocols (Time Estimate: 4 weeks) – Integrate biometric authentication, set up role-based access controls, and design automatic session timeouts. Test security features for compliance and robustness.
- Task 4: Implement Software and Hardware Upgrades (Time Estimate: 4 weeks) – Install new hardware components and deploy software updates across all registers. Use a phased rollout plan to minimize operational disruptions.
- Task 5: Conduct System Testing and User Acceptance Testing (Time Estimate: 3 weeks) – Perform functionality testing, security audits, and usability testing with staff in controlled environments. Collect feedback for refinements.
- Task 6: Train Staff and Deploy System (Time Estimate: 2 weeks) – Conduct training on new procedures, hardware, and security protocols. Launch the updated system with ongoing support and feedback channels.
Development, Testing, and Implementation Analysis
The development phase involves designing a seamless, secure, and user-friendly interface backed by sturdy hardware suitable for restaurant environments. Agile methodologies can be employed, allowing iterative testing and refinement based on staff feedback. During the testing phase, rigorous security audits, physical durability tests, and usability assessments should be conducted, ensuring the solution aligns with operational needs and security standards.
Implementation requires careful planning; a phased rollout minimizes operational disruptions, allowing staff to adapt gradually. Continuous monitoring during initial deployment helps identify unforeseen issues quickly, fostering a responsive support system. Staff training is critical, emphasizing security procedures, proper hardware use, and troubleshooting basics, thus ensuring a smooth transition.
Security and Usability Balance and Challenges
Balancing security and usability is a pivotal challenge in designing interactive systems. Excessive security measures, such as complex passwords and frequent re-authentication, can impede rapid service delivery—a vital requirement in fast-food environments. Conversely, overly simplistic login procedures compromise security, exposing sensitive data and system controls.
In this case, the initial design favored security through password locks and lockout periods but neglected usability, leading to delays and unauthorized workarounds. The physical environment's challenges—grease, dirt, and rush—further hinder usability, emphasizing that environmental factors must be core considerations in interface and hardware design.
The key challenge lies in integrating security controls that do not impose significant operational burdens. Biometric authentication addresses this by offering a swift, secure alternative to passwords. Role-based access controls and session timeouts enhance security without compromising speed. Regular staff training and clear procedures also reduce security breaches caused by user ignorance or negligence.
Achieving this balance requires multidisciplinary approaches combining ergonomic design, robust security protocols, and environmental adaptations. Recognizing that human factors often conflict with security needs is crucial, and iterative testing should focus on optimizing this dynamic.
Proposed Security Enhancements for Improved Usability
Further enhancements include implementing multi-factor authentication that pairs biometric data with a quick PIN for added security. An intelligent session management system can monitor inactivity and automatically log users out, reducing risks associated with forgotten logouts. Incorporating proximity sensors that detect when a cashier steps away from the register can trigger automatic lock or logout procedures, thus maintaining security without user intervention.
Additionally, physical design modifications, such as installing easy-to-clean hardware and tactile buttons, reduce physical barriers to system use amid a greasy environment. Regular maintenance schedules also ensure hardware remains responsive. From a procedural standpoint, establishing clear policies on login and logout procedures, supported by staff training, sustains security without reducing operational efficiency.
Graphical Representation of the Proposed Interface
Using Microsoft Visio or Dia, a diagram depicting the redesigned login interface, featuring biometric authentication options and larger tactile buttons, can visually communicate the improved system. The diagram should illustrate the login screen with biometric prompts and a simplified PIN entry, the session timeout indicator, and the hardware layout emphasizing durability and ease of cleaning.
Conclusion
Redesigning the restaurant's touch screen register system involves addressing physical, functional, and security challenges. A user-centered approach incorporating biometric authentication, ergonomic hardware, role-based controls, and staff training can drastically improve usability and security. Proper planning, development, and iterative testing are vital to ensure that security measures do not hinder operational efficiency. By balancing security and usability thoughtfully, restaurant workflows can be optimized, resulting in happier staff and improved customer service.
References
- Shneiderman, B., Plaisant, C., Cohen, M., Jacobs, S., & Elmqvist, N. (2016). Human-Computer Interaction: Designing the User Experience (3rd ed.). Morgan Kaufmann.
- Norman, D. A. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition. Basic Books.
- Passini, R. (2014). Environmental Design: Approaches and Considerations. Routledge.
- ISO 9241-210:2010. Ergonomics of human-system interaction – Part 210: Human-centred design for interactive systems.
- Rogers, Y., Sharp, H., & Preece, J. (2015). Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction (4th ed.). Wiley.
- Gabbard, J. L., & Hix, D. (2005). User-centered design and evaluation of touchscreens in healthcare. In Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting Proceedings.
- Krug, S. (2014). Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability. New Riders.
- Hix, D., & Hartson, R. (Eds.). (1993). Developing User Interface Software: A Gentle Introduction. Wiley.
- Fleming, M., & Wale, S. (2016). Human Factors for the Design, Evaluation, and Certification of Safety Critical Systems. CRC Press.
- Carroll, J. M. (2014). Human-Computer Interaction: Psychology, Design, and the Engineering of Interactivity. Morgan Kaufmann.