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Systematic development of the human interface
Authors:
Duke, D.J., Barnard, P.J., Duce, D.A. & May, J.
Reference:
In: APSEC ‘95: Second Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference, (IEE) Computer Society Press, pp.313-321
Year of publication:
1995
CBU number:
3383
Abstract:
The problem of developing software to meet precise specifications has lead to the development of mathematical notations for expressing and reasoning about the behaviour of a required or extant system. In this paper we describe a different use of formal models: as tools for gathering and consolidating requirements on interaction between engineered systems and their users. This change in focus reflects the growing use of sophisticated interactive technology in domains, such as medicine, where human comfort or safety is an issue. Not only must software systems function correctly, but the demands that the interface places on users of those systems need to be understood. This problem can not be addressed by formal models in isolation. Instead, we describe an approach that uses formal models of human information processing to augment models of system functions. As a result it becomes possible, at an early stage in system design, to consider the role of human cognition in the correct behaviour of the system.
