Article Idea:
When Usability Doesn't Matter
suggested by Robert Skrobe on 2007/11/29
For all its advantages, usability has a lot to offer. It benefits the practitioner, the business owner, the project team and the end user in many ways.
With the right circumstances at hand, usability and user-centered design can illuminate potential problem-solving possibilities and bring long-lasting impact to projects and products for customer use.
But when is usability or UCD a non-factor? In what circumstances or situations does usability not matter at all? When should other methods of discovery or inquiry be employed, and why?
Want to see this idea turned into a story?
2 people said yes. | 1 person said no.
Ross Popoff-Walker
0 Reputation points
Posted 2008/01/15 @ 10:41AM with
Hey Robert,
Here are two thoughts on scenarios where usability can be discoutned (I’m sure there are others):
1) Businsess monopoly – when a company monopolizes an industry, does it really matter how usable their services are? People will put up with hell if they have to.
2) Do all consumer groups care about usability? I bet there are some users (probably younger ones, at home with any interface) that care much less about usability than others.
-ross
Robert Skrobe
3 Reputation points
Posted 2008/01/20 @ 11:10AM with
With the second one, it probably depends also on context, but essentially you have two good scenarios there. :)
todd moy
8 Reputation points
Posted 2008/03/14 @ 18:45PM with
Another good facet to explore is whether there is a tangible benefit with companies that cite UCD processes—and those who don’t. Is there a correlation? Jared Spool would argue that there isn’t, which I tend to agree with. http://www.howardesign.com/exp/ixd/index.php?post=13964