Usability

Usability is the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use (ISO 9241:11 1998). In other words, given that a web site is developed with a specific audience and purpose in mind, does it do a quality job?

Does the user understand the content?
Can the user engage easily with the content?
Does the web site fulfil the user’s goal(s)?
Can the user achieve their goal in an acceptable timeframe?
Is the user motivated to use the web site?
Is the experience a pleasant one?

The cornerstone of web usability is user-centred, evidence-based design. Evaluation – watching and recording how real users use the web site – as part of the design and development process is therefore key.

The Online Services team (part of Communications) are the experts in Usability at the OU. They have created the OU personas (key enquirers and other web users) – fictional characters based on real users – which are used to assist in evaluating web sites.

Many of the standards in this guide are based upon the principles of usability. If you need further information or advice on how to ensure your web site is usable, contact Online Services (http://intranet.open.ac.uk/web/index.shtml).

Link to Research-based usability guidelines?

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