The Usability Problem Taxonomy: A Framework for Classificationand Analysis

  • Authors:
  • Susan L. Keenan;H. Rex Hartson;Dennis G. Kafura;Robert S. Schulman

  • Affiliations:
  • Shrewsbury, MA 01545;Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061;Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061;Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061

  • Venue:
  • Empirical Software Engineering
  • Year:
  • 1999

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Abstract

Although much can be gained by analyzing usabilityproblems, there is no overall framework in which large sets ofusability problems can be easily classified, compared, and analyzed.Current approaches to problem analysis that focus on identifyingspecific problem characteristics (such as severity or cost-to-fix)do provide additional information to the developer; however,they do not adequately support high-level (global) analysis.High-level approaches to problem analysis depend on the developer/evaluator‘s ability to group problems, yet commonlyused techniques for organizing usability problems are incompleteand /or provide inadequate information for problemcorrection. This paper presents the Usability Problem Taxonomy(UPT), a taxonomic model in which usability problems detectedin graphical user interfaces with textual components are classifiedfrom both an artifact and a task perspective. The UPT was builtempirically using over 400 usability problem descriptions collectedon real-world development projects. The UPT has two componentsand contains 28 categories: 19 are in the artifact componentand nine are in the task component. A study was conducted showingthat problems can be classified reliably using the UPT. Techniquesfor high-level problem analysis are explored using UPT classificationof a set of usability problems detected during an evaluationof a CASE tool. In addition, ways to augment or complement existingproblem analysis strategies using UPT analysis are suggested.A summary of reports from two developers who have used the UPTin the workplace provides anecdotal evidence indicating thatUPT classification has improved problem identification, reporting,analysis, and prioritization prior to correction.