Use without training : A case study of evidence-based software design for intuitive use

Abstract

This paper reviews intuitive software design and outlines the development of an instrument for analysts to evaluate the intuitiveness of software design. Current intuition research outlines three requirements for intuitive use: (a) existing experiential domain knowledge and skills, (b) an unexplainable perception that a novel situation is contextually familiar, and (c) successful application of users’ previously acquired experiential knowledge and skills. A case study illustrates how these requirements can be specified, implemented, and evaluated. Questions to evaluate the characteristics of intuitive design and use resulted in an intuitive use evaluation of 3.2 on a scale of 0–4, indicating a perception of intuitive use. Subsequent factor analysis exposed three factors describing intuitive use: (a) Familiar User Expectations, (b) Confident Interactions, and (c) Leverage of Prior Learning. These factors map one-on-one to the requirements for intuitive use: providing an early confirmation of the proposed structure for analysis of intuitive software design and use.