Évaluer l’utilité dans le contexte des technologies émergentes pour identifier des besoins latents : éléments issus d’une analyse des interactions en situation d’usage

Abstract

This paper aims to understand how the evaluation of an emerging technology in an ecological context using a prototype promotes the generation of latent needs arising from interactions between participants in training and work situations using the Appli-Viz ’3D software, within a furniture manufacturing company. This study involved a designer (virtual reality trainee) and seven users (2 engineers, 3 designers and 2 marketers specialized in the design of childcare furniture). The analysis of verbalizations and interactions for the two observed situations highlighted: 1) a complementarity of the participants’ contributions in terms of cognitive activities and subjects, 2) the presence of generations of new functionalities and properties often preceded by information and evaluations. In the discussion, we highlight the need to confront users with the technology in a real-world environment so as to design emerging technologies that are actually useful and to better introduce them into organizations. We conclude on the contributions and limits of the retrospective approach and then discuss the prospective approach to usefulness.

Keywords

• design process
• usefulness
• latent needs
• emerging technologies
• situated interactions