UxLab: Usability Optimization Case Study of a Environmental Management Information System (EMIS) using Eyetracking Studies

Abstract

This paper focuses on improvements of Environmental Management Information Systems (EMIS) from a usability perspective. A certain EMIS were tested as a case study using traditional usability studies as well as the eye tracking method as useful complement. Usability studies can lead to competitive advantages for the providers of services and products, especially when the studies are integrated at a relatively early stage, in the design and development phase. As a result of usability studies shortages and deficits in developments can be avoided and adaptations to existing functionality of a software application can be complemented with a special focus on future users. The combination of the newly initiated research project called UxLab (User Experience Lab) and the ongoing development of EMIS at the HTW represents a win-win-cooperation. The essence of this combination and why it is so beneficial will be discussed in this paper. Furthermore the results of a case study done within the course of the research project will be presented. For that study, a software tool has been tested, that was developed within a project sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research, which allows the creation of carbon footprints. This application mainly aims at small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in Germany, which are expected to have no prior knowledge or training in the use of the software. An introduction in the field of usability studies, the case study itself and its results shall follow.