The degree to which an object or device is easy to use with no specific training
as well as other traditional terms such as user friendliness, usefulness, ease of use, have in common that they are vague and fuzzy terms They give the impression of just one single dimension However, users have different needs and requirements and perform different tasks with an application An application which is usable by one user may be tedious to use by another user In addition usability is a too narrow concept which does not take into account cost/benefit issues Hence, the term 'quality of use' is prefered to usability
the degree to which a software application or a website is easy to use with no specific training
The extent to which an item is capable of being used, or is convenient and practical in use
the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use A measured value of usability always refers to a specific kind of task, user, and environment
The ease with which a user can operate, prepare inputs for, and interpret outputs of a system or component
The combination of design, content, navigation, and technical issues which determine how useful a Website is for a given purpose (information retrieval, sales, recreation, etc ) The concept arose because of unusable indulgence -- so most adherents are advocates of restraint, some almost to the point of minimalism Two usability experts frequently cited by Scribble & Count are Jakob Nielsen and Jared Spool; two periodicals advocating usability issues are Alertbox, and Contentious; all are cited in the Bibliography (See also, the S&C essay on "Assertive Users" in the Archive )
Refers to design features that make a product user friendly For instance, Web sites with usability problems could be hard to navigate, difficult for disabled people to use, or have unclear instructions for use
" ... the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which specified users can achieve specified goals in particular environments " (ISO DIS 9241-11)
Usability is a generic term that refers to design features that enable something to be user-friendly The term, and the concepts it encompasses, can be applied to anything from a paring knife to a space station, but here we use it to refer to features that make a Web site user-friendly For more information, please visit the usability section of our Web site Back to top
(1) a user-oriented security quality requirement specifying the degree to which an application or component (e g , user interface, help facilities) and its documentation shall enable a specified set of users to easily and efficiently: Learn and remember how to use it Perform a specified set of their tasks while making a minimum number of errors (e g , create and inputs, obtain and understand outputs)
Usability is a multidimensional attribute that relates to the impact a product has on its end-users In general it refers to the efficiency with which a customer can do their tasks with the product, and their overall satisfaction with that process Usability should be considered from a systems perspective including the hardware and software interfaces, the documentation, packaging, and any other component of the system and processes surrounding it that affects the user Usability is a key design and marketing concept meaning the extent to which a product is safe, comfortable, effective, and efficient Usability can be measured objectively via performance errors (low error = high usability) and productivity (high speed and quantity output = high usability) Usability can also be measured subjectively via user preferences (likes and dislikes) and interface characteristics (adherence to layout standards)
Usability is a multidimensional property of a system or user interface Following are the five attributes of usability that Nielsen identified (1993)
An overall evaluation of how a system performs in supporting a particular user for a particular task (13)
Capable of being used In web design, this refers to the capability of a web site to be used by everyone Usability issues include interface and navigation design (can the user easily understand how to find their way around the site), content layout (small blocks of text that are not too wide are easier for reading on the web), and accessibility and compatibility issues
In the recent literature, there are several definitions of the term usability In this report, we adopt the definition offered in ISO 9241 (Part 11), though we admit that such a definition offers a performance-oriented perspective on usability Thus, usability is defined as the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use
Ability of a system to be used [easily or efficiently] Usability is different than utility (ability of something to satisfy a need) The word usability arises in relation with the Human-Computer interface studies The interface of a program or of a web site can be useful because it performs the whole range of operations specified, but can be of low usability, for example, due to a high complexity that makes it difficult to be used efficiently for non-trained people
How easy a product is to use It has been defined as: "the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which a specified set of users can achieve a specified set of tasks in a particular environment"
Applies to systems Means whether a system is easy to learn, pleasant to use, error-free and error-forgiving, easy to remember and efficient
The ease and intuitiveness of a product or service Low usability will require more support for Users There are documented and proven approaches to designing and measuring usability
The ease and speed with which people can find information, and the accuracy of their interpretation and application of that information
Quite simply, usability is making your site easy for your customers to find the exact information they need when they need it Anything that makes the process slower (like Flash animation served to a dial-up customer) inhibits usability Conversely, easy, intuitive navigation and strong, informative text enhance usability
The ease that users experience in navigating an interface, locating information, and obtaining knowledge over the Internet
fit or ready for use or service; "the toaster was still functional even after being dropped"; "the lawnmower is a bit rusty but still usable"; "an operational aircraft"; "the dishwasher is now in working order"
If something is usable, it is in a good enough state or condition to be used. Charity shops and jumble sales welcome usable clothes Half of the island's population has no usable English. something that is usable can be used