Designing & Testing Information
Systems Notes
Information Systems Design & Development:
Purpose, features functionality, users & Testing
Contents

Users & Purpose
 Questions

Design
 Questions

Testing
 Questions
Users of an Information System
The users of an information system are the people
who interact with that system.
When designing an information system it is
important to take account of who the users are.
This will enable the information system to account
for the specific needs and preferences of the user
Users can be categorised in a number of different
ways.
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Novice Users
Novice users are new to an information system and do not
have much experience in using it. Novice users may not have
much experience of using computers in general.
Novice users need simplified user interfaces and features such
as wizards to help them complete tasks on an information
system.
A wizard is a type of user interface that leads the user through
the task as a series of well defined steps. The user is usually
offered options at each stage of the wizard.
Expert Users
Expert users are very experienced in using
the system. They often have significant
experience in using computers generally.
Expert users often make use of the advanced
features that give them greater control over
the content and appearance of what they are
doing.
Age Range
The age of the expected user of an information system is important.
By changing the content and presentation of information for different
age groups, an information system can make it easier for those users
to understand the information.
For example, young users might benefit from more colourful and
interactive presentation, with an interface designed for novice users
Two different BBC news websites for different age ranges, note the
difference in presentation and content.
Information System Purpose
The purpose of an information system is the
reason for which it exists and what it can be used
to do.
You will be required to describe the purpose of an
information system in depth, providing detail of
what it does.
Google Maps is an information system
that provides the user with satellite and
street view maps of the entire world.
It also provides street level pictures of
many of its maps. It can be used for
navigation and produces directions for
travelling by car, on foot and using public
transport.
Questions – Users & Purpose
Answer questions in full sentences!
1. Who are the users?
2. Describe the differences between novice and expert users.
3. Explain what a wizard is, and why novice users might make
use of one.
4. Describe how the expected age range of users might affect
the design of an information system.
5. What is meant by the purpose of an information system?
6. Describe the purpose of Facebook. Make sure you
describe the purpose in detail.
7. Choose two other information systems or websites that
you know and describe their purpose.
Designing Information Systems –
The Target Audience
The target audience is the group of users who
are the intended users for an information system.
You have to consider what type of users make up
the target audience. Their needs and preferences
will affect the design of the information system.
Sometimes an information system is designed with
specific target audiences in mind. On others an
information system might have a specific purpose
and the designers will have to identify the target
audience.
User Interface design factors
Visual Layout:
The visual layout is how elements are placed on the screen.
The layout should:
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Look appealing to users
Avoid cluttering or overloading the interface
Have a balance of different media
Consider the target audience
Interactivity:
Interactivity is when the information system responds to what
the user does. Interactivity has to be considered in the
following ways:
 What level of interactivity will be present
 How information will be reported to the user
 Dialogue and error reporting
Navigation:
The user must be able to navigate between the screens / pages of the
information system. Some navigation elements, such as browser buttons and
database objects lists may be available without being included in the design.
Other navigation elements include:
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Hyperlinks
Hotspots
Buttons and other controls
Menus
Search bars
Navigation should always be simple to understand and use
Selection:
Selection refers to the methods by which the user can input into the
information system. Ideally the input method should be chosen to minimise
the risk of errors when entering data. Input methods include:
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Text entry
Menu selection
Radio button
Checkboxes
Readability:
Readability is the ease with which text information can be read and
understood. Readability is affected by colour schemes, font choices
and layout.
Consistency:
A user interface is consistent if it looks and behaves in the same way
throughout itself. A consistent user interface is easier to use as the
users can make assumptions about how to use it.
Accessibility:
Accessibility refers to whether or not an information can be used by
people of all abilities and disabilities. Additionally, the device used by
the user may affect how they can access an information system.
Accessibility concerns are very important on websites as they are
public available and can be accessed on phones, tablet computers,
laptops and desktops
Wireframes
Creating wireframes is a method
of designing the user interface of
an information system. A
wireframe is a sketch that shows
the position of different elements
on a screen / page.
Wireframes don’t have any
functionality, they just show how
the interface s going to appear.
Wireframes are useful for
showing how the navigation of an
information system is going to
work, giving an idea of how the
content is going to be laid out and
showing how the user will
interact with the system.
Questions – Designing Information
Systems
Answer questions in full sentences!
1.
What is meant by the term target audience?
2.
List seven factors that have to be considered when designing a user interface.
3.
What is meant by a wireframe and what are they used for.
4.
Explain two elements of interface design that are shown in a wireframe.
5.
Using the table below, describe in detail the following websites
Purpose
Range & Type of User
Visual Layout
Interactivity
Navigation
Selection
Consistency
Readability
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
www.sqa.org.uk
Another website of your own choice
Testing
The process of testing software is undertaken to ensure that it is
developed to be bug and error free, fit for purpose and sufficiently
usable.
The initial phase of testing, sometimes called alpha testing is
undertaken by the developers themselves. Sometimes third party
quality assurance specialists will be hired to alpha test as well.
This testing is often functional – it is designed to check that certain
features of the software work. Usually specific test data is used to
determine if the software produces the correct results.
This is the type of testing you will have carried out on work you have
produced in class.
Beta Testing
In the beta testing phase of testing, a piece of software is
tested by many users selected from the target audience or
chosen to be similar to the target audience.
Unlike other phases of testing, Beta testers are chosen from
outwith the software developers. This gives an outsider’s view
on the quality of the software.
Specific test data is not used in beta testing. Instead the goal is
to simulate the typical usage of the software. Beta testers will
typically be expected to report any bugs they find, and whether
or not they feel the software is fit for purpose.
Usability Testing
Usability testing is a way of measuring how users interact
with an information system or other piece of software.
Usability testing is carried out by observing a typical user carry
out tasks with the software.
For example, a usability test of an email client might be carried
out by asking a user to send an email with an attachment.
By observing the user attempt the task, developers can gain
insights into how people interact with the interface they have
developed. Oversights and assumptions about users can be
identified and corrected.
Methods of Usability Testing
Thinking aloud:
In thinking aloud, the user is asked to say whatever they are doing and feeling
as they go about their task. The user’s though processes can then be
recorded
Co-discovery:
With co-discovery usability testing, two users attempt the task together and
are encouraged to help and explain to each other what they are doing. This is
more naturalistic for the testers than thinking aloud.
Eye Tracking:
Eye tracking is when the movement and focus of the user’s eyes is recorded.
This enables the developers to see which part of the screen the user is paying
attention to. The layout and navigability of an interface can be assessed in this
manner.
Questions – Testing
Answer questions in full sentences!
1. What is meant by beta testing?
2. What issues might be encountered by a beta tester?
3. Give two reasons why it is important to carry out
beta testing in addition to in house testing.
4. What is usability testing?
5. Why is it important to carry out usability testing?
6. Explain three methods of usability testing in detail.