An INRIA research team (MERLIN) has been participating for many years in standardization
activities in software ergonomics.
The numerous benefits of computers and more generally of information and communications
sciences must not overshadow the fact the primarily concerned party are... the
users. A computer system, as significant and advanced as it may be, offers little
interest if it does not obey certain criteria of usefulness, health and security,
but also comfort and user-friendliness, which all are usability characteristics
that must be taken into account from the design stage.
Computer technology has now invaded the private and professional spheres—work,
transportation, services, leisure. They are part of all aspects of life, especially
in developed countries. It is thus not surprising that the ergonomics of such
systems is becoming a growing concern. This means better understanding human-machine
interaction in order to improve user comfort and security as well as system
efficiency.
Computer ergonomics has been taken into account by the ISO, the international
standardization organization, and its national authorities such as the Afnor
in France (French Standardization Association), since 1980. The software aspects
(design process, dialog techniques, multimedia,...) are concerned, as well as
the ergonomics of the work station, its surroundings and of the hardware. Computer
ergonomics problems are even increasing. The new usages and issues of information
technology require adaptation. In fact, more and more experts are appointed
to participate in the ISO international meetings. Governments, institutions
and software publishers are increasingly concerned.
“The topics we are working on now concern the Web and graphical interfaces,
virtual reality, for example,” explains Dominique Scapin, Scientific
Head of project MERLIN (INRIA Rocquencourt and Lorraine) that has been contributing
to software ergonomics standardization since 1988. In France, twenty-five standards
and specifications concern computing ergonomics, and fifteen are more specific
to software ergonomics. MERLIN researchers published many articles and manuals
for software designers. Recently, Dominique Scapin who organizes the “Software
Ergonomics” group of the AFNOR, coordinated the publication of the first
AFNOR compendium of standards, specifically on computer ergonomics.
New usages, new populations
In practice, what is meant by software ergonomics? In fact, there are many facets
to this issue. For example, design processes are concerned in order to help
take into account user characteristics (correctly taking into account the usage
context and user experience and knowledge). The best practices for dialog between
user and software interface are also defined (degree of adaptation, conformity
to user expectations, easy learning, type of interactive menus, etc.). Rules
to present information and guide users right are proposed. Methods to evaluation
software usability are also defined. All these topics are at the heart of project
MERLIN research work, with the goal of improving the ergonomic quality of interactive
software. On the one hand, the team works on integrating ergonomics results
into new software design, and on the other hand, it is interested in new computing
applications such as multimedia and new populations of users.
This preoccupation actually concerns a large number of research works in the
world, especially about the concept of accessibility, that is to say adapting
computer systems to the largest number of individuals, irrespective of their
capabilities, or sensory, motor or cognitive impairments (see box). Among other
things, this includes dealing with an aging population. A law on this subject
was voted in France in July 2004 by the Senate. Several laws were also adopted
in the United States and European directives are in preparation. Four standards
are being finalized in Japan. Consistently with these reflections and upcoming
laws, the ISO is working on a technical specification on the subject. A first
standard (ISO/TS 16071) was published in 2003. Its goal is to guide developers
in human-machines interface design that propose the highest possible level of
accessibility.
" Our team is working in all these areas ", says Dominique Scapin,
“especially in the new areas of knowledge (for example, understanding
the problems raised by Web software or virtual reality software) and on interactive
software design and evaluation methodology.” Even if it is difficult to
ascertain the importance of such and such contribution, this research has a
recognized impact on the publication of standards in this field.
Accessibility: everyone can be concerned
Accessibility is a concept that encompasses the differences in capabilities
dues to age, illness or handicap. It concerns persons who suffer from physical,
sensory or cognitive deficiencies from birth or acquired during their life,
elderly persons who may benefit from new products and services but who have
reduced physical, sensory and cognitive capabilities, persons with a temporary
impairment, for example someone with a broken arm or people who have forgotten
their glasses, and persons faced with difficulties in certain situations, for
example a person working in a noisy environment or whose two hands are occupied
by another task.
