Abstract:
To assess the quality, acceptability and user experience of interactive applications, usability is one of the most integral quality attributes. Usability has always been an important concern for developers and users in software development industry all over the world. In order to address this serious concern of usability, researchers have always been calling for clear and improved scope in the area of usability. This research is carried out to identify, report and categorize the usability bugs that are experienced by the users of interactive applications. It also aims to detect and report the unaddressed gaps and challenges in the existing usability practices. Majorly, this research proposes a systematic and comprehensive maturity model to meet the unaddressed gaps in the area of usability. A survey was conducted to identify the usability bugs being experienced at user end. To reach to the source of these usability bugs, another survey was conducted. Results of the performed surveys made it clear that there is a need of a maturity model that should specifically address the deficiencies in the area of usability. This research proposes such well-defined, comprehensive and systematic model termed as Usability Development Life Cycle (UDLC) model. To ensure smooth implementation and execution of proposed model, detailed and comprehensive set of guidelines are proposed along with the model. The proposed UDLC model is assured to be systematic, cost effective and self-explanatory. The model is verified and validated for its competency by applying on poor websites and mobile application with weak usability and unsatisfied user experience. Execution of proposed model on the targeted samples resulted in enhanced usability with maximum user satisfaction.
