Development of a resource management system prototype using agile user-centred design approach

Abstract

The growing number of fast-paced projects requiring the strong focus on usability has increased the need for finding a way to integrate user-centred design to agile software development. To fulfil this need, many attempts to combine these methodologies were made and this resulted in creation of different frameworks for introducing agile user-centred design in companies. However, due to the differences in companies’ working environments and production goals, there is no framework that would fit every company.

In 2018, a marketing company in Helsinki, Finland experienced the need in introducing agile user-centred design. To implement this approach accurately, it was decided to apply it initially in an internal project concentrating on development of a resource management system for in-house use. This thesis discusses a new agile user-centred design framework used in this project as well as assesses successfulness of its implementation. Likewise, since the proposed framework has prototyping as its main activity, this thesis evaluates the role of prototypes in this process and their quality. The methods employed in the research include observations, interviewing, prototyping, heuristic evaluation, and usability testing.

This thesis describes development of a resource management system prototype in detail from its initial lo-fi version to the complex hi-fi one as well as the process of usability evaluation of each prototype version. Furthermore, it discusses the feedback given by future system users on the prototype versions and their quality as well as the experience of designers and developers involved in the project with the proposed framework.

This thesis proves that the agile user-centred design approach can deliver good outcomes. The results of the research showed that it is possible to introduce agile user-centred design in a company using the proposed framework successfully. Prototyping plays the major role in this process, as it unites designers and developers and help them to improve the system quality. Using hi-fi prototypes is especially beneficial for the gradual system development. The research demonstrated that even though future system users might not accept the initial lo-fi versions of the prototype positively, the agile user-centred design approach allows to develop the good-quality hi-fi prototype, which users will find pleasant and sufficient for their needs.