Delivering HCI modelling to designers: A framework and case study of cognitive modelling

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Abstract
The human-computer interaction (HCI) research community is generating a large number of usability-oriented models and design frameworks. However, a critical factor which will determine whether any of these achieve significant penetration into the real world of software design is the effort required by practitioners to understand and apply them. In short, analytic tools for usability design must themselves be usable. In response to this challenge, we present a framework which identifies four different ‘gulfs’ between user-centred modelling and design approaches, and their intended users. These gulfs are potential opportunities to support designers if a given analytic approach can be encapsulated in appropriate forms. We then illustrate the framework's application with a concrete example. An evaluation is reported which investigates gulfs associated with an approach which uses an expert system to automate cognitive modelling for human factors designers. An early prototype was evaluated in order to assess the knowledge required to use it. The study demonstrates that whilst this tool does shield users from the complexities of the underlying modelling, they need to understand the way in which it builds its description of the task and user interface. Implications for bridging the different gulfs are then considered.