Usability-perspektiv på utvärdering av system för samarbete - en fallstudie på Volvo Aero

Abstract

Abstract In a dynamic world where demands on organisations are high, it is important for them to quickly be able to change. At the same time it is important that the production of goods and services proceeds with a minimum of faults. To facilitate this production of goods and services it is crucial that the used information technology is perceived as useful by the concerned co-workers. This is also true when it comes to systems for cooperation, so called CSCW-systems. The practical goal of research concerning CSCW-systems is to guarantee that Information Technology tools are designed to support co-operation among users. Many of the present CSCW-systems incorporate serious usability problems, and this is largely due to the absence of practical and relevant methods for evaluation. Based on a case study at Volvo Aero, we look into how an evaluation-method should be constructed in order to support evaluation of such systems. The evaluation-criteria used by the thesis is based upon usability-theory. The criteria mentioned in this theory, and used by us are usefulness, effectiveness, learnability, and attitude. Our study shows that an evaluation based on usability theory should contain the criteria described within the boundaries of usability. The thesis further shows that an additional factor, apart from the before mentioned, affects the users feeling of the systems usability. The evaluation based on usability-theory should according to the thesis, therefore be complemented with criteria concerning adaptation. This to better be able to reflect the users view of the systems usability. The result of this thesis could be useful in providing other students or groups with an interest in evaluation of CSCW-systems, a starting point for further research. The conclusions presented in the thesis will hopefully be of use for the organisation where the case study took place. Keywords: CSCW, Collaboration, Usability, Evaluation, Organisational change