elearningpost http://www.elearningpost.com/index.php en maish@elearningpost.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-02T00:12:16+08:00 The Customer-Centered Innovation Map http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/the_customer_centered_innovation_map/ Lance A. Bettencourt and Anthony W. Ulwick write on innovation opportunities by analyzing how customers "get the job done"; "Job mapping differs substantively from process mapping in that the goal is to identify what customers are trying to get done at every step, not what they are doing currently. For example, when an anesthesiologist checks a monitor during a surgical procedure, the action taken is just a means to an end. Detecting a change in patient vital signs is the job the anesthesiologist is trying to get done. By mapping out every step of the job and locating opportunities for innovative solutions, companies can discover new ways to differentiate their offerings." Related concepts: Customer Journey Mapping Task analysis Activity-centered design Lance A. Bettencourt and Anthony W. Ulwick write on innovation opportunities by analyzing how customers "get the job done";

"Job mapping differs substantively from process mapping in that the goal is to identify what customers are trying to get done at every step, not what they are doing currently. For example, when an anesthesiologist checks a monitor during a surgical procedure, the action taken is just a means to an end. Detecting a change in patient vital signs is the job the anesthesiologist is trying to get done. By mapping out every step of the job and locating opportunities for innovative solutions, companies can discover new ways to differentiate their offerings."

Related concepts:

]]> 2008-05-02T00:12:16+08:00 IA Summit 08 podcasts are up http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/ia_summit_08_podcasts_are_up/ Boxes and Arrows is slowly putting up the IA Summit 08 podcasts. Yum! Boxes and Arrows is slowly putting up the IA Summit 08 podcasts. Yum!

]]> 2008-05-01T14:22:12+08:00 User Interface Implementations of Faceted Browsing http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/user_interface_implementations_of_faceted_browsing/ Faceted browsing is going to become quite the norm for navigating large data sets -- health information, consumer products, etc. This article takes a good look at some of the interface implementations of faceted browsing. Faceted browsing is going to become quite the norm for navigating large data sets -- health information, consumer products, etc. This article takes a good look at some of the interface implementations of faceted browsing.

]]> 2008-05-01T01:25:51+08:00 Right-Justified Navigation Menus Impede Scannability http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/right_justified_navigation_menus_impede_scannability/ From Jakob Nielsen Alertbox: "Users scan lists by moving their eyes rapidly down the left edge. Menu items that are right-aligned make scanning more difficult." Note that Jakob Nielsen is not talking about left-hand or right-hand menus. He is just talking about the alignment of menu items. From Jakob Nielsen Alertbox:

"Users scan lists by moving their eyes rapidly down the left edge. Menu items that are right-aligned make scanning more difficult."

Note that Jakob Nielsen is not talking about left-hand or right-hand menus. He is just talking about the alignment of menu items.

]]> 2008-04-30T02:46:40+08:00 What is Design? (Yes, all 10 definitions!) http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/what_is_design_yes_all_10_definitions/ Frank Spillers takes on the task of defining 'design' from the usability consultant's point of view. He breaks the definitions down to those for the Mind, those for the Heart and those for the Body. Nice. Frank Spillers takes on the task of defining 'design' from the usability consultant's point of view. He breaks the definitions down to those for the Mind, those for the Heart and those for the Body. Nice.

]]> 2008-04-26T16:53:09+08:00 1968—The Year That Rocked Our World http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/1968_the_year_that_rocked_our_world/ AARP magazine has a multimedia section on one of America's most turbulent years -- 1968. Check out the interactive timeline. AARP magazine has a multimedia section on one of America's most turbulent years -- 1968. Check out the interactive timeline.

]]> 2008-04-22T15:01:45+08:00 Building a collaborative workplace http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/building_a_collaborative_workplace/ A white paper from Anecdote on "why organisations and individuals should build their collaboration capability". "Today we all need to be collaboration superstars. The trouble is, collaboration is a skill and set of practices we are rarely taught. It’s something we learn on the job in a hit-or-miss fashion. Some people are naturals at it, but most of us are clueless." A white paper from Anecdote on "why organisations and individuals should build their collaboration capability".

"Today we all need to be collaboration superstars. The trouble is, collaboration is a skill and set of practices we are rarely taught. It’s something we learn on the job in a hit-or-miss fashion. Some people are naturals at it, but most of us are clueless."
]]> 2008-04-21T15:23:53+08:00 Cover-flow on the web http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/cover_flow_on_the_web/ Like to see the cover-flow interface on the web? Check out: http://creativspace.at/. The images are pulled from Google Image search. Like to see the cover-flow interface on the web? Check out: http://creativspace.at/. The images are pulled from Google Image search.

]]> 2008-04-21T12:14:15+08:00 Extreme User Research http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/extreme_user_research/ Daniel Lafreniere writes about talking to surrogate users about information needs and desires. Don't forget to read the comments section. They put the article in perspective. "Doing user research doesn’t have to be tedious and cost lots of money. In many cases, you should be able to do it in a few days, even a few hours, depending of the scope your project. The main idea behind extreme user research is that instead of going for the real users, we go for surrogate users. Those are the ones within a company who talk directly to the customers. We want to talk to the people who talk to the people." Daniel Lafreniere writes about talking to surrogate users about information needs and desires. Don't forget to read the comments section. They put the article in perspective.

"Doing user research doesn’t have to be tedious and cost lots of money. In many cases, you should be able to do it in a few days, even a few hours, depending of the scope your project. The main idea behind extreme user research is that instead of going for the real users, we go for surrogate users. Those are the ones within a company who talk directly to the customers. We want to talk to the people who talk to the people."
]]> 2008-04-16T14:29:58+08:00 The Fine Art of Wireframes http://www.elearningpost.com/blog/the_fine_art_of_wireframes/ Scott Stromberg writes on sketching and wireframing. Cool stuff. "I find that there is something gratifying about taking a pen in hand and working an idea out on paper. The use of pen and paper often forces me to slow down and really contemplate the elements of my design. It was the ongoing pursuit of thoughtful design that originally attracted me to the world of Information Architecture. I have always been somewhat hesitant about rushing to the computer without taking enough time to truly contemplate a proposed design direction." Scott Stromberg writes on sketching and wireframing. Cool stuff.

"I find that there is something gratifying about taking a pen in hand and working an idea out on paper. The use of pen and paper often forces me to slow down and really contemplate the elements of my design. It was the ongoing pursuit of thoughtful design that originally attracted me to the world of Information Architecture. I have always been somewhat hesitant about rushing to the computer without taking enough time to truly contemplate a proposed design direction."
]]> 2008-04-16T14:18:45+08:00