There are several phases and processes in the creation of an online user experience.

 

 

Functionality requirements gathering - assembling a list of the functionality required of the system to accomplish the goals of the project and the potential needs of the users.

 

User analysis - analyzation of the potential users of the system either through discussion with people who work with the users and/or the potential users themselves. Typical questions involve:

 

o What would the user want the system to do?

o How would the system fit in with the users normal workflow or daily activities?

o How technically savvy is the user and what similar systems does the user already use?

o What interface look & feel styles appeal to the user?

 

Agile Web Development- More and more, you need to build something, and get it in the hands of actual users as soon as possible. . . Agile Web Development can help.

 

Information architecture - development of the process and/or information flow of the system (i.e. for phone tree systems, this would be an option tree flowchart and for web sites this would be a site flow that shows the hierarchy of the pages).

 

Prototyping - development of a wireframes, either in the form of paper prototypes or simple interactive screens. These prototypes are stripped of all look & feel elements and most content in order to concentrate on the interface.

 

Usability testing - testing of the prototypes on an actual user—often using a technique called talk aloud protocol where you ask the user to talk about their thoughts during the experience.

 

Graphic Interface design - actual look & feel design of the final graphical user interface (GUI) based on the findings developed during the usability testing. This last phase is often handled separately by a graphic designer who also has knowledge in user interface design. However, some user interface designers are also proficient graphic designers.

 

User interface design needs good understanding of user needs.