Design Terms and Decision Constructs

Abstract

Toward defining and utilizing “methodology” for HCI design, the relevant terminology must be made very clear. As stated earlier in this book, many terms have been used interchangeably, when they should not be. Some have also been used inconsistently or even totally incorrectly. This chapter presents a series of definitions that are useful for design decision-making. Some of the terms and constructs are illustrated. The cause-and-effect framework that was already implied by the use of decision schematics in earlier chapters is more fully developed in the next section. Then, after distinguishing, in Section 9.3, what is meant by design and the products thereof, the causes and effects are considered in the following order: inputs to a design decision in Section 9.4, and outcomes of such decisions in Section 9.5. But how do the inputs lead to the outcomes? Section 9.6 deals with criteria and constructs that can help in the decision-making process.