USER CENTRED DESIGN SERVICES

BUILD

WHERE DOES DESIGN/PROTOTYPING END AND THE BUILD START?

THE PROTOTYPE/BUILD BOUNDARY

[[ IN DEVELOPMENT ]]

Build methods for Agile methodology

FROM PROTOTYPE TO BUILD

With each model below the prototype forms part of the final product – any of these build models may be employed

Low-Fidelity | Medium-Fidelity | High Fidelity

INCREMENTAL

Likened to ‘building blocks’ – incrementing each time a new feature is added, based on an overall design solution.

Each feature is quickly built up to high-fidlelity one-by-one by ‘mini waterfalls’ – known as feature driven development.

One main advantage is ease to quickly/thoroughly test and mitigate risks in an increment, rather than an entire product.

Medium-Fidelity | High Fidelity

EXTREME

A model of increasing functionality – features are not fully functioning from the outset.

Three clearly defined stages are built in code.

First stage is a static prototype – a series of HTML pages; second functions are added using a service layer; third employs the service layer – implementing the functionality.

Medium-Fidelity | High Fidelity

EVOLUTIONARY

An entire model – iteratively refined over time from feedback.

Each stage involves resolving any issues and implementing any changes to the prototype.

Thus, the first prototype forms the heart of the product, which improvements and fixes are added to over each developmental period and therefore, allowing it to constantly evolve.

PRODUCT ACCESSIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS

Each of the four major categories of specific needs have guidelines as to considerations when moving from design to build of products and services

VISUAL

Adjustments for colour blindness, visual impairment, total sight loss to ensure the product is coloured with correct contrast and usable with tools which enable zooming and screen reading.

MOTOR

Ensure all functions require no fine mouse movement and are usable via the keyboard, that usability heuristics are applied in error checking and confirmation of task completion.

HEARING

Use of clear language in content, descriptive imagery, text-based transcripts for audio and closed-captioning with videos, along with avenues for connection and direct communication.

COGNITIVE

Attention in design and content to learning disabilities, distractibility, and an inability to remember or focus on large amounts of information.

Conforming to Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics and W3C Accessibility Standards will go a long way to ensuring the product is accessible by all – ideally testing of the build should be carried out by users with specific needs using companies such as AbilityNet or Shaw Trust