Marius Stenersen, Birger Sevaldson, and Adam Balfour
The University of South-Eastern Norway | The Oslo School of Architecture and Design | University of South-Eastern Norway
Redesigning software to increase usability will not be solved by only changing the surface, i.e., the graphical user interface. A context of use, describing how software is intended to be used, by specific users, in a specific environment, is a prerequisite for achieving usability. This paper will explore the utilization of gigamapping, from the field of systems-oriented design, as a method to create a context of use. Surveys and semi-structured interviews verify that gigamapping can create a context of use and display complex information while maintaining connectedness and readability. In addition, semi-structured interviews verify that gigamapping provided additional value by discovering in-house challenges with interface management.
KEYWORDS: gigamapping, interface management, systems engineering, systems-oriented design