[Sigia-l] Going from Windows GUI to Browser-Based GUI

[Vanessa Wolfe-Coote]

I was faced with this challenge last year at a client who had moments of
conservatism balanced with moments of technophilia, the result of which
was splitting an integrated enterprise application into two modules: one
fronted by a Windows-GUI and another browser-based.

I worked with a core group of 15 users and another 25 users on an ad hoc
basis. I used low and high-fidelity prototypes, did much card-sorting,
interviews, thinking aloud, etc. 

With these particular users, the solution was to:
* Minimise the amount of overlap in use of the 2 interfaces (i.e. for
the user to complete a task, they should not have to use both systems)
* Not try to create a smooth transition in look and feel between the two
interfaces - this did not improve user satisfaction or effectiveness 
* Enure consistency in labelling - this was critical to ensure a high
degree of learnability

Cheers
Vanessa

Vanessa Wolfe-Coote
Information Architect
National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA)
4-8 Maple Street, London, W1T 5HD
Direct Line: +44 20 7927 9880
Fax: +44 20 7927 9501 
Mobile: +44 7968 781 340 
Email: vanessa.wolfecoote at npsa.nhs.uk