Methods of planning the electronic workplace

Abstract

Traditional data processing methods of implementing systems have led to many human problems and have often not been successful. This paper reviews a number of alternative design methods, both centralized methods such as structured design methods, and decentralized or end user-developed systems. It concludes that, whilst the new methods are all more user-centred in concept, they may still fail because the methods necessary to deal with user issues are not widely available. The paper ends by reviewing the required methods which include task analysis, prototype evaluation, interface design and continued user support. Some examples of the required methods are provided.