March 13, 2003
Workshop - Practicing What We Preach: Debbie McConnell, Workplace Performance Tools
How familiar are you with the User Centered Design process? Do you use the same process as other usability professionals? Have you ever conducted an 'expert review' or 'heuristic evaluation'? What guidelines and heuristics do YOU use when conducting these types of reviews?
We'll outline the process being used to redesign the UPA-MN web site, including how users are profiled, task analysis, and how to identify usability issues with an existing web site or application. Attendees will participate in a heuristic evaluation exercise to evaluate the current UPA-MN web site and make recommendations on how to improve it. You don't have to be an 'expert' to participate.
If you've never participated in an expert review with a group of usability experts, this is a great learning opportunity. If you're a seasoned professional, you might pick up a trick or two. Also, next month, Dean Barker will present a set of fundamental user interface heuristics that he researched with Susan Weinschenck and how they can be used in UI design and expert evaluations like the one we'll do this month.
Meeting Details:
- Date/Time:
- March 13th / 6:00pm
- Place:
- Target, Usability Center
- Address:
- Target Plaza North, 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN
- Phone:
- 612.396.6573 or 612.220.7627
- Hosts:
- Target Usability Center - Pam, Libby & Kristi
- Speaker:
- Debbie McConnell, Workplace Performance Tools
- Topic:
- Workshop - Practicing What We Preach
Agenda:
- 6:00 Networking (A light dinner WILL be provided, or you're welcome to bring your own.)
- 6:15 Business meeting & update on UPA-MN web site
- 6:45 Workshop - Practicing What We Preach
- 8:00 Adjourn
About the Speaker: Debbie McConnell
Debbie is principal of Workplace Performance Tools and a usability engineer. She has been designing user interfaces for Web sites and software applications for the past ten years. Debbie specializes in working with clients on the brink of committing to usable products.
The workshop will be facilitated by Debbie and other UPA members with past experience facilitating the UCD process and heuristic evaluations.
RSVP & Dues
Please email Lyle_Kantrovich@cargill.com if you plan to attend. Please indicate the number of guests, if any, you've invited.
Visitors and past members are welcome, but are asked to pay five dollars if they haven't paid chapter dues for the year.
Note that membership runs from January to December, so you'll want to renew your membership now that 2003 is here.
Directions & Map:
Driving Directions:
Target Plaza North (1000 Nicollet Mall) is located on the Southwest Corner of Nicollet Mall and 10th St. in Minneapolis There are entrance doors on both Nicollet Mall and 10th St. Take the escalator to the lobby on the skyway level (next level up). Check in at the security desk and wait for escort to the Usability Center
Parking:
Street parking is free in Minneapolis after 6:00 PM. Otherwise park in Target Store ramp and take skyway to Target Plaza North security desk (see Directions above. Entrance to Target Store ramp is on LaSalle Ave. (1 block west of Nicollet Mall, between 9th St. And 10th St.)
Upcoming Meetings & Events:
- March Meeting: March 13th
Workshop - Practicing What We Preach - April Meeting: April 10th
Speaker: Dean Barker - 20 Laws of Interface Design - May Meeting: May 8th
Location: 3M's New Usability Lab Tour - UPA National Conference: June 23-27
Do you have an idea for a future meeting topic or know someone you think would be a good invited speaker? Contact Lyle (lyle_kantrovich@cargill.com) with your suggestions.