Problem solving
Overview
Summary of my notes from the books The design of everyday things by Donald A. Norman and How to solve it by George Polya.
Models
There are three models:
- Design Model, The conceptualization the designer had.
- User Model, What the user develops to explain the operations of the system.
- System Image, The physical appearance.
The aim is to align the user model and the design model. A user’s model is formed via the system model and preconceived ideas about how the system should function so it is important that the system image convey a clear picture of the design model and that the design model is simple to conceptualize.
Making things simple to Conceptualize
- Simplify the structure of the task, minimize the amount of planning or problem solving required.
- Make things visible,:
- Allow people to know what is possible.
- Allow people to understand what the effect of an action will be.
- Get the mappings right, so that users can determine:
- between intention and possible action.
- action and their effect on the system.
- actual state and perceived by sight state.
- Exploit the power of constraints.
- Make the user feel like there is only one thing to do.
- Plan for error
- When all else fails standardize, it is only useful if everybody knows it and adheres to it.
Action cycle
- Form the goal ( I need more light to read ).
- Form the intention ( Open the blinds or turn on the light ).
- Specify the actions needed to achieve the intention ( Plan if needed ).
- Execute the actions.
- Perceive the state of the world.
- Interpret the state of the world.
- Evaluate the outcome.
Problem solving
- Understand the problem
- Create a plan of action
- Execute the plan
- Evaluate the outcome
Notes
- For this to be useful it is kind of important that you have a good understanding of what is simple in regard to human cognition.