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Achieving Usability Through Software Architecture

Technical Report
This paper outlines an approach to improving the usability of software systems by means of software architectural decisions.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-2001-TR-005

Abstract

In this paper, we present an approach to improving the usability of software systems by means of software architectural decisions. We identify specific connections between aspects of usability, such as the ability to undo, and software architecture. We also formulate each aspect of usability as a scenario with a characteristic stimulus and response. For every scenario, we provide an architecture pattern that implements its aspect of usability. We then organize the usability scenarios by category. One category presents the benefits of these aspects of usability to users or their organizations. A second category presents the architecture mechanisms that directly relate to the aspects of usability. Finally, we present a matrix that correlates these two categories with the general scenarios that apply to them.

Cite This Technical Report

Bass, L., John, B., & Kates, J. (2001, March 1). Achieving Usability Through Software Architecture. (Technical Report CMU/SEI-2001-TR-005). Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/library/achieving-usability-through-software-architecture/.

@techreport{bass_2001,
author={Bass, Len and John, Bonnie and Kates, Jesse},
title={Achieving Usability Through Software Architecture},
month={{Mar},
year={{2001},
number={{CMU/SEI-2001-TR-005},
howpublished={Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library},
url={https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/library/achieving-usability-through-software-architecture/},
note={Accessed: 2024-Dec-13}
}

Bass, Len, Bonnie John, and Jesse Kates. "Achieving Usability Through Software Architecture." (CMU/SEI-2001-TR-005). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, March 1, 2001. https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/library/achieving-usability-through-software-architecture/.

L. Bass, B. John, and J. Kates, "Achieving Usability Through Software Architecture," Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, Technical Report CMU/SEI-2001-TR-005, 1-Mar-2001 [Online]. Available: https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/library/achieving-usability-through-software-architecture/. [Accessed: 13-Dec-2024].

Bass, Len, Bonnie John, and Jesse Kates. "Achieving Usability Through Software Architecture." (Technical Report CMU/SEI-2001-TR-005). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Mar. 2001. https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/library/achieving-usability-through-software-architecture/. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Bass, Len; John, Bonnie; & Kates, Jesse. Achieving Usability Through Software Architecture. CMU/SEI-2001-TR-005. Software Engineering Institute. 2001. https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/library/achieving-usability-through-software-architecture/