Usability in Product Design - The importance and need for systematic assessment models in product development – Usa-Design Model (U-D) ©

Abstract

In product design, human factors are considered as an element of differentiation given that today´s consumer demands are increasing. Safety, wellbeing, satisfaction, health, effectiveness, efficiency, and other aspects must be effectively incorporated into the product development process. This work proposes a usability assessment model that can be incorporated as an assessment tool. The methodological approach is settled in two stages. First a literature review focus specifically on usability and developing user-centred products. After this, a model of usability named Usa-Design (U-D©) is presented. Consisted of four phases: understanding the use context, pre-preliminary usability assessment (efficiency/effectiveness/satisfaction); assessment of usability principles and results, U-D© features are modular and flexible, allowing principles used in Phase 3 to be changed according to the needs and scenario of each situation. With qualitativequantitative measurement scales of easy understanding and application, the model results are viable and applicable throughout all the product development process.