The Spherion Web Usability Evaluation Process

• Marj Kyriopoulos, Director of the Information Design Services Practice
       Spherion

About the Presentation:

Have you ever been involved in a project that developed a web site, released it, and then discovered that users hated it? The Spherion Web Usability Evaluation Process uncovers usability problems in web sites by comparing specific aspects of a site to a list of guidelines for usable web design. We also compare sites to one or more similar or competitor sites. We then recommend solutions to problems. This presentation will describe the evaluation process and use video clips to demonstrate usability testing situations.

Outline:

• Usability concepts
• How the Spherion Web Usability Evaluation Process differs from usability testing with users
• History behind the Process
• Sources of Information
• Categories of Usability Criteria
• Examples of Usability Criteria
• Steps in the Process
• Usability Criteria Form
• Usability Evaluation Report
• Video of representative web usability problems

About the Presenter:

Marj Kyriopoulos is the Director of the Information Design Services Practice of Spherion's Twin Cities branch. She is working to incorporate usability techniques into Spherion's software design and development processes. Prior to joining Spherion, Marj led the creation of Web sites, product and service information, and user documentation. Marj created, managed, and published MN Online, a web site containing links to thousands of Minnesota-based web sites. In 1996, she served as the co-chair of NetDay Minnesota in conjunction with the national effort to connect classrooms to the Internet. She also implemented the online information strategy for a major computer company, integrating the online help, computer based training and electronic documentation.

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