ac4d design library work modeling
DESCRIPTION
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Contextual Design Work Modeling
Lauren SerotaProfessor, Austin Center for Design
2
Ethnography Synthesis Prototyping
Now that we’ve observed, interviewed and collected data, we can begin to make sense of it.
Contextual Design Work ModelingFormalizes research data and insights in a concise, systematic and visual manner in the form of a model.
Why are models important?
Models provide:A means to organize huge amounts of dataA shared language and understanding of the dataA way to “see” the data
-Specifically, breakdowns, opportunities and gaps in what you observed/researched.
Research MethodsContextual Design Modeling, uses 5 different kinds of work models to visually document research data.
Research MethodsContextual Design Modeling requires a detailed transcript of your research session.
You must make a transcript of your inquiry prior to beginning modeling.
Each hour of video takes ~2 to transcribe.
Research Methods
Transcription can happen as a team:
1. Set aside 3-4 hours2. Get a projector or TV, some good speakers3. Have one person operate the video while
the other types.
Research MethodsList all Participants
Line numbers = a logical chunk of dialogue & events per a certain time
Time stamp from video Write exactly
what was said and done.
Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides
1. Flow ModelHow work is divided among roles and coordinated, without regard for time.
Prepares sandwiches and warm food in the kitchen area. Takes orders from customers, prepare
bakery orders. Deliver food to customer.
Prepares food for baking, also works bakery counter and register.
Owns
Does accounting and keeps things in order. Maintains
customer relationships
Prepares most food and baked goods. Everything in the
establishment is his recipe.
Flow Model
Prepares sandwiches and warm food in the kitchen area. Takes orders from customers, prepare
bakery orders. Deliver food to customer.
Prepares food for baking, also works bakery counter and register.
Owns
Does accounting and keeps things in order. Maintains
customer relationships
Prepares most food and baked goods. Everything in the
establishment is his recipe.
Groups (sets of people), shown as
circles
Individuals who do the
work, shown as circles
Flow of communication, shown as arrows and lines
between individuals or groups
Communication topics, shown as labels on the
flow lines
Artifacts, shown as small boxes on a
flow
Places, shown as
large boxes
Breakdowns in communication or
coordination, shown as a red lightning
bolt and annotated
Flow Model
Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides
2. Sequence ModelThe order of work tasks over time.
Work tasks are ordered and unfold over time. The steps people take aren’t random; they happen the way they do for a reason.
Sequence Model
Triggers, described in sentences or
blurbs
Intents, described in sentences or
blurbs
Actions, described in
sentences
Reference to line in transcript
Sequence Model
Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides
3. Cultural ModelThe influencers which define expectations, desires, values and the overall approach people take to their work.
Work takes place in a culture, which defines expectations, desires, policies, values and the whole mindset people take for their work.
Cultural Model
Influencers, shown as circles. The extent
of the influence, illustrated by the size of the circles
The influence, shown as an arrow pointing from one influencer
to another, and described in text.
Breakdowns in cultural influence, shown as a red
lightning bolt and annotated as necessary
Cultural Model
Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides
4. Artifact ModelThe tangible items people create and use to help them get their work accomplished
People create, use and modify things in the course of doing work. These things become artifacts, which each tell their own stories.
Artifact Model
Artifact Model A visual representation of the object, either drawn, photographed, or scanned.
Presentation of the object, including relevant physical characteristics Information presented by the object, such as the contents of a form.
Any breakdowns shown as red lightning bolts.
Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides
5. Physical ModelThe physical environment in which work is accomplished.
Work occurs in a physical environment that either supports and enabled the work or gets in the way.
Physical Model
Physical Model
Places that work occurs, shown in
plan view and annotated
Movement throughout the space, shown as arrows and lines and
annotatedPhysical structures that define the
space, shown as geometric shapes
Hardware, software, and tools that are
present, shown visually as appropriate
Breakdowns in the physical space, shown as a red lightning bolt and annotated as necessary.
Research MethodsLabel all data on the models (citations) with line numbers from the transcript.
Legibility is very, very, very important!
Research MethodsWe get from our transcripts to our work model through an Interpretation Session.
2.1. 3.
Lauren SerotaProfessor, Austin Center for [email protected]
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