Usability

Usability can be described as the capacity of a system to provide a condition for its users to perform the tasks safely, effectively, and efficiently while enjoying the experience.^[1] In software engineering, usability is the degree to which a software can be used by specified consumers to achieve quantified objectives with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a quantified context of use.^[2]

The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, vehicle, or anything a human interacts with. A usability study may be conducted as a primary job function by a usability analyst or as a secondary job function by designers, technical writers, marketing personnel, and others. It is widely used in consumer electronics, communication, and knowledge transfer objects (such as a cookbook, a document or online help) and mechanical objects such as a door handle or a hammer.

Usability includes methods of measuring usability, such as needs analysis^[3] and the study of the principles behind an object's perceived efficiency or elegance. In human-computer interaction and computer science, usability studies the elegance and clarity with which the interaction with a computer program or a web site (web usability) is designed. Usability considers user satisfaction and utility as quality components, and aims to improve user experience through iterative design.^[4]

^ Lee, Ju Yeon; Kim, Ju Young; You, Seung Ju; Kim, You Soo; Koo, Hye Yeon; Kim, Jeong Hyun; Kim, Sohye; Park, Jung Ha; Han, Jong Soo; Kil, Siye; Kim, Hyerim (2019-09-30). "Development and Usability of a Life-Logging Behavior Monitoring Application for Obese Patients". Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome. 28 (3): 194–202. doi:10.7570/jomes.2019.28.3.194. ISSN 2508-6235. PMC 6774444. PMID 31583384.
^ Ergonomic Requirements for Office Work with Visual Display Terminals, ISO 9241–11, ISO, Geneva, 1998.
^ Smith, K Tara (2011). "Needs Analysis: Or, How Do You Capture, Represent, and Validate User Requirements in a Formal Manner/Notation before Design". In Karwowski, W.; Soares, M.M.; Stanton, N.A. (eds.). Human Factors and Ergonomics in Consumer Product Design: Methods and Techniques (Handbook of Human Factors in Consumer Product Design). CRC Press.
^ Nielsen, Jakob (4 January 2012). "Usability 101: Introduction to Usability". Nielsen Norman Group. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.

[1] Lee, Ju Yeon; Kim, Ju Young; You, Seung Ju; Kim, You Soo; Koo, Hye Yeon; Kim, Jeong Hyun; Kim, Sohye; Park, Jung Ha; Han, Jong Soo; Kil, Siye; Kim, Hyerim (2019-09-30). "Development and Usability of a Life-Logging Behavior Monitoring Application for Obese Patients". Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome. 28 (3): 194–202. doi:10.7570/jomes.2019.28.3.194. ISSN 2508-6235. PMC 6774444. PMID 31583384.

[2] Ergonomic Requirements for Office Work with Visual Display Terminals, ISO 9241–11, ISO, Geneva, 1998.

[3] Smith, K Tara (2011). "Needs Analysis: Or, How Do You Capture, Represent, and Validate User Requirements in a Formal Manner/Notation before Design". In Karwowski, W.; Soares, M.M.; Stanton, N.A. (eds.). Human Factors and Ergonomics in Consumer Product Design: Methods and Techniques (Handbook of Human Factors in Consumer Product Design). CRC Press.

[4] Nielsen, Jakob (4 January 2012). "Usability 101: Introduction to Usability". Nielsen Norman Group. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]