Computer Science Homework Help

Competency

In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:

• Employ user-centered methodologies in the design of information technology applications and systems

Scenario

The Director of Operations for A&D University wants to improve the efficiency of food services on campus. They are considering remote access that would allow students to view the cafeteria menu and place orders. Your department has been asked to create a proposal for the functionality needed for this application, using the concepts of user-centered design.

Directions

The Director of Operations provided requirements for you to consider as you create the proposal. At a minimum, a student must be able to review the menu, place their order, and schedule a time for pickup at the cafeteria. The director envisions access through kiosks, desktops, laptops, or mobile phones, but has not chosen a specific platform at this time. Within your proposal, you will need to describe methods that could be used to obtain user requirements to help guide the choice of platform, as well as the design of the initial functionality. You are also tasked with determining what the impact of this application would be on the cafeteria workers and what would have to be created for them to view and schedule the online orders. While you are not creating a prototype for the functionality of the application, you should consider the ease of use, effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, and memorability as you create your proposal.

Within your proposal, you must address all of the following:

• Explain how principles and processes of human-computer interaction (HCI) will inform your design process. Consider cafeteria staff as well as students.
• Students
  • Select the methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations) you would use to gather user requirements from studentsand explain why those methods would be appropriate choices. Requirements should focus on functionality such as:
    • Reviewing the menu
    • Placing an order
    • Scheduling a time for pickup at the cafeteria
• Construct the materials needed to implement the method(s) you have selected. You must include specific questions or behaviors appropriate to your selected method.
• Describe how you would use the data gathered from each method you decide to use. You will need to address the following:
  • What are the essential tasks?
  • What are the “nice to have” tasks?
  • What information could you get from observations, surveys, interviews, or focus groups?
• Staff
  • Select the methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations) you would use to gather user requirements for cafeteria staff and explain why those methods would work best to understand the functionality needed for the cafeteria workers. Requirements should focus on how the implementation of this app will impact the staff (e.g., prioritizing orders, receipt, scheduling, menu options).
  • Construct the materials needed to implement the method(s) you have selected. You must include specific questions or behaviors appropriate to your selected method.
  • Describe how you would use the data gathered from each method you decide to use. You will need to address the following:
    • How is this system going to change the workflow?
    • What information could you get from observations, surveys, interviews, or focus groups?
• Justify the data you would use to select a delivery platform. In addition to the information from the students and staff, you will need to consider the following:
  • Cost associated with implementing on varying platforms (existing vs. new)
  • Features provided to support accessibility and ease of use for end users
  • Maintenance of the application (How often does the menu change? How will you continually upload a new menu?)