Usability study of a risk based inspection software
Master thesis
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http://hdl.handle.net/11250/182849Utgivelsesdato
2011Metadata
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Sammendrag
Usability, or the “ease of use” of a software application, is important in order to allow for a
user to carry out the intended task in an efficient and effective manner. For a technical
software, as the risk based inspection (RBI) software studied in this thesis, such aspects is
equally important. But in order to ensure a software which is “easy to use” there must be
carried out usability activities in relation to the software’s development.
The goal of the thesis was to carry out a usability study on DNVs risk based inspection
software in order to identify what had a positive and negative impact on the software’s
usability. By indentifying it strengths and weaknesses it should be possible to present
recommendations in order to improve usability in future RBI software applications.
In the thesis there was proposed a framework for carrying out the usability study as such
guidance were not found in the literature. The proposed framework was developed
specifically for the project and was based upon recognized usability evaluation and design
methods. In addition the most beneficial usability evaluation method for the project had to be
identified. The method of choice was Nielsen’s ten heuristics; a set of broad based rules
which if followed should ensure a software application with a high degree of usability.
Through the use of the software application to carry out an RBI analysis, each of the
heuristics was applied to the software user interface, and thereby making it possible to
indentify its usability strengths and weaknesses. The usability evaluation revealed several
aspects which had an impact on the overall usability of the software. Especially the software’s
RBI working process and its somewhat limited error handling was found to have the most
significant impact on the software’s usability.
In addition to the usability evaluation there was carried out a literature survey to identify
guidelines and design rules which could be relevant for future RBI software developments.
From the usability evaluation and literature survey there were presented more than 30
suggestions and recommendations that should be considered when developing RBI software
applications in the future.
Through the application of the proposed framework usability problems were identified and
subsequent suggestions and recommendations for future software were presented. Based upon
the latter accomplishments the usability study of Orbit Offshore was found to be a success.
Beskrivelse
Master's thesis in Offshore technology