Takeaways, Discussion Questions, and UCD Quests
Each takeaway, discussion question, and UCD Quest activity can be used to develop a full class
session outline, complete with homework and assignment options. Facilitators can also use these to
lead group discussion or help design teams work through UCD problems.
Chapter 1
Takeaways
1. Building state-of-the-art technology does not guarantee a better user experience or market
3. UCD accommodates user-engagement from the very beginning of the design process.
Getting feedback or buy-in from users before a product is designed is critical.
5. Too much utility or too many features impacts whether users can (or want to) figure out
how to use a product.
6. Poor design leads to poor business results and potentially dangerous consequences.
7. Technology-centered design favors fulfilling functional rather than user objectives.
Discussion Questions
1. Why might a technology, process, or product be more difficult to use now than in the past?
4. Think of a technology that you useby choice or noton a regular basis. Is it easy to use?
If so, why? If its difficult to use, what would make it easier to use? Discuss how these ease–
of-use considerations might be a result of the method, location, or time you use the product.
6. Think of a step-by-step process that you know how to complete (e.g., getting dressed,
cooking, shooting a basketball). How difficult would it be to realize that you made an error
and not be able to change anything until the process was complete (waterfall approach)?
What stage would it be easiest to make changes?
UCD Quests
1. Research a technology from 2000 that is still in use today. What has changed? What features
are different? Do you think it is easier to use today or more complicated?
3. Research and locate five to seven pictures of historical technologies (e.g., sun dial, silk
threader, communication device). Share the pictures with a friend and have them guess what
the technology is for and how it was used. See which features they assume the technology
has, does not have, or should have.