User-Centred Requirements Handbook |
Information is collected about the future technical characteristics of the system. This includes details of the system hardware, software, and documentation, where this is known beforehand. Other equipment used to carry out related tasks such as a telephone, dictation machine or reference books is also documented.
Process
To assist in capturing details about the technical environment, complete Form 1.4 by carrying out the following steps:
1. Fill in name of system and user group at the top of the form.
2. Fill in first (left hand) column of the form completing all relevant technical characteristics.
3. Consider each of the characteristics in turn and write down any user-related Potential User Requirements, for the design of the system, in the second column.
4. Review each of the Potential User Requirements and assign it a reference number. Where a characteristic has two or more user-related implications for the design, give each a separate reference number.
Form 1.4 - Technical Environment (Example)
| 1.4 Technical Environment | ||
| System name: New Bank machine | Form completed for users groups selected in Form 1.2 | |
| User group: General public | ||
| Characteristics | Potential user requirements | Ref. |
|
Hardware which user will interact with e.g. desktop PC, printer, kiosk. Standard bank machine kiosk to be adapted as necessary to provide new services. Touch screen may be used if required. Speaker and microphone may be used for speech input and output if required. |
Hardware should be robust. Layout of interface elements and keypad should be consistent with existing conventions and standards. |
1.4.1 1.4.2 |
|
Software environment in which system will run e.g. Windows, WWW Browser. The system will be developed with 'Public kiosk builder' |
IBM Public Terminal operating system will be used. | 1.4.3 |
|
Software environment to be used to develop system. The system will be developed with 'Public kiosk builder' |
Users' representatives should be given the opportunity to see existing applications developed with same software. | 1.4.4 |
|
Other equipment required for use alongside system. Telephone to contact maintenance if system fails. * Note entry would go into a table for Bank Staff users. |
Bank machine could be adapted to automatically send a message to maintenance if a major failure occurs. | 1.4.5 |
|
Reference materials required either to perform tasks with system or to learn about or operate system. Guidebook to the new bank machines. |
Card should give clear step-by-step instructions for main transactions which can be followed when using the machine. | 1.4.6 |
Transfer to relevant Forms in Phase 3
e.g. Form 3.1 General system characteristics
or Form 3.4 Technical environment