Towards a theory and method for usability evaluation of complex human-technology systems

Abstract

One of the central roles of ergonomic research is to provide a normative basis for the evaluation of the appropriateness of artefacts used in various human activities. In this paper a new activity theory based approach, the Core-Task Analysis is introduced. Inspired by that, an evaluation method, Contextual Assessment of Systems Usability, was developed for the analysis of the appropriateness of complex information and control systems. The basic structure of the method is described and the indicators for assessment briefly described.

Keywords

• activity theory
• Core-Task Analysis
• systems usability
• habits of action
• functional modeling
• complex systems