Maximizing the Usefulness and Usability of Web Applications

The Dynamic Internet

Maximizing the Usefulness and Usability of Web Applications

WebCommerce Week

“Dynamic Internet” © 2005 Contextware, Inc.

Objectives of Presentation

• Provide high level understanding of – Web applications– Usability concepts– Implementation strategies


What is a Web Application?

• A Web site displays text.– Users view Web sites – Client side programming – (HTML, JavaScript)

• A Web application processes data.– Users interact with Web applications

• Input/receive data• Perform calculations

– Powered by business logic– Extensive server side programming


Benefits of Web Apps

• Cross platform– Not limited to proprietary operating systems and

hardware



• Cross platform• On-the-fly customization

– Traditional apps are compiled, designed to meet requirements of a broad audience

– Web apps can be customized instantly to an individual or segment, offering a much greater 1:1 experience.



• Cross platform• On-the-fly customization• Truly accessible anytime, anywhere

– Wireless Web


Web App Usability Layers

• Aesthetic• Semantic• Logical• Conceptual

aesthetic

semanticlogical

conceptual



• Aesthetic– Branding (enterprise) or

Personalization (individual)– Familiar and engaging

• Does it reflect my world?• Does it make me want to touch it

(meaningful interaction)?– Physical layout easily modified

aesthetic

semanticlogical

conceptual



• Aesthetic• Semantic

– Speaks my language?• Literally: can it be translated into

other languages and jargon?• Metaphorically: can it “talk my talk,”

and reflect my culture (corporate, industry, other)?

aesthetic

semanticlogical

conceptual



• Aesthetic• Semantic• Logical

– Makes sense to me? – Easy customization of

• Metadata (data about data)• Business Rules• Business Logic

aesthetic

semanticlogical

conceptual



• Aesthetic• Semantic• Logical• Conceptual

– Reflects my view of the world? – Relates to who I am and what I do?

• Workflow• Business processes

aesthetic

semanticlogical

conceptual

Building the Useful Web App

Increasing Levels of Complexity


Three Levels of Implementation

• Dynamic – Data-driven templates for on-the-fly branding,

semantic alignment, layout and system customization.


Dynamic Interactive

Engaging users into meaningful interaction with data and information using rich media authoring technology



Dynamic InteractiveContextual

Structuring information to provide meaningful and relevant contexts


Dynamic Implementation

Designing with Data


Dynamic Web Apps

• Current “standard”• Templates more flexible than static HTML

– Easier to manage (fewer pages)– More complex logic (server side programming)

• Free from constraints of compiled applications– On-the-fly personalization (one app, many customers,

many interfaces)• Provides control to broader audience of users

– Developer independent• Required for hosted software (XSPs)


Technologies

• Active Server Pages (ASP)– Moderate skill level (SQL, JavaScript)– Proprietary Microsoft technology

• Java Server Pages (JSP)– Advanced skill level (Java)– Cross Platform

• Cold Fusion– Easiest to use– Cross Platform

Interactive Implementation

Designing with Media


Interactive Web Apps

• “Emerging” state of the art• Powerfully engages user visually compelling• Complete graphical control over representation of

data• “Game” metaphor for GUI development

– Decreased training cycle– Compatible metaphor for the visually over-stimulated

(kids today, workers tomorrow)• Minimizes browser incompatibility issues

Contextual Implementation

Designing with Knowledge


Contextual Environments

• The logical evolution of application “usefulness”– Must look at disparate applications as a whole

(enterprise perspective)• Applications are generally “self contained”• No single application does it all

– All applications are part of sequence of tasks or events

– Tasks require additional things like people, best practices, guidelines, drivers and outputs which are not communicated or addressed in traditional application design


Designing with Knowledge

• Offers a “presentation format” standardized on a process representation that helps people to relate types and roles of information to what they do

• Produces an information platform for binding applications and related data into a highly customized, logical flow or sequence

• Provides powerful, specific business contexts that gives your employees, your customers and your partners instant access to the right applications/ information/people at the right time (task-centric)


Business Context Benefits

• Training– Precisely share your way of doing things with

employees• Knowledge capture

– Consistently document and merge methods and techniques of high value employees

• Resource management & compensation– Spell out performance expectations, then evaluate

and reward (or discipline) based on usage.


Business Context Benefits

• Methodology marketing– Clearly illustrate the value of your proven process to

customers• Intellectual asset management

– minimize redundancy across the enterprise by offering sole source repository (digital library) for best practices that can be bound to multiple processes.


Creating Business Context

• Three Steps:– Build Business Context– Deliver Business Context– Evolve the Enterprise



• Build Business Context– Digitally capture and

refine critical, high value work flows and processes

– Build central repository (digital library) of information assets

– Meaningfully associate inventory with process activities



• Build Business Context• Deliver Business Context

– Provide interface for searching/navigating tasks and retrieving information and applications. (portals, intranets, etc.).



• Build Business Context• Deliver Business Context• Evolve the Enterprise

– Assess and evaluate user actions then refine and improve processes, workflow and information in real time, across the enterprise.


Conclusion

• The Web is the great equalizer everyone gets an opportunity to tell their story and share their vision

• It’s no longer about eyeballs it’s about doing something that adds value for your:– Business– Customers– Employees– Partners


Conclusion

• The Web has allowed designers and developers to make huge conceptual leaps in application design and usability

• Strive to maximize “usability”, but demand (and happily settle for) “usefulness”– Incremental improvement better than none

• Listen to your customers, but don’t fear them – Sometimes they don’t realize what they need until

they see it/interact with it– Encourage experimentation


Questions and more. . .

Learn more at http://www.contextware.com

Contextware, Inc.4216 Evergreen Lane, Suite 111

Annandale, VA 22003 USA800.371.7969

Maximizing the Usefulness and Usability of Web Applications

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