Field Oriented Design Techniques: Case Studies and Organizing Dimensions

Sunday, May 7 and Monday Morning, May 8

Recently, new approaches to design have emerged. These approaches go beyond usability testing and involve learning about users' work practices before a system is designed. The approaches use dialogue with users in their work context to elicit requirements, understand work practices, and uncover implicit knowledge; all of which serve as input into design.This workshop provides an opportunity for practitioners of these field methods to share their experiences. It emphasizes relating field work to the development process, developing a common terminology and framework for field methods, and comparing field methods to other techniques. The workshop is designed to be highly interactive and participatory.

The major requirement is that each participant have experience with field-oriented methods for a real project and be prepared to share that experience. To make the workshop a quality experience, participants are asked to prepare written summaries to be shared with other participants in advance. The organizers will provide a template for preparing such summaries and an outline for the workshop events.

This one-and-a-half-day workshop is limited to 15 participants.

Contact:

Dennis Wixon
Digital Equipment Corporation
110 Spit Brook Rd, MS ZK02-3/R44
Nashua, NH 03062-2698 USA
E-mail: wixon@usable.enet.dec.com
Tel: +1 603 881 2276
Fax: +1 603 881 0120