Phase 3 – Systems Design

User Interface, Input, and Output Design Chapter 7

Objectives  Explain the concept of user interface design and human computer interaction.

 Define user-centered interface design principles.

 Describe guidelines for user interface design.

 Describe user interface controls  Explain input design concepts, techniques, and methods.

Objectives  Describe guidelines for data entry screen design and validation checks for reducing input errors.

 Design effective source documents and input controls.

 Discuss output design issues and various types of output.

 Design various types of printed reports, and suggest necessary output control and security.

User Interface  How users interact with the system  In user-centered system, distinction between input, output and interface blurs  Human-Computer Interaction – includes all communication and instructions to enter/input and to obtain output

User-Centered Design Principles  Understand underlying business functions  Maximize graphical effectiveness (GUI)  Profile system’s users  Think like a user  Use prototyping  Design comprehensive interface  Continue feedback process  Document interface design

User Interface Design Guidelines  Ergonomics, aesthetics, interface technology  Focus on basic objectives  Facilitate system design objectives (not just interface)  Design that is easy to learn and use  Interface to improve user efficiency  Commands, actions and system responses that are consistent and predictable  Allow easy error correction and access to help  Logical and attractive layout  Minimize input data problems (input masks)  Feedback t users  Familiar terms and images

User Interface Controls  Menu bar  Dialog boxes Toolbar Textbox  Toggle button (option button)  List box   Drop-down list box Command button Scroll bar … Check box

Input Design  Screen design requires sense of aesthetics as well as technical skills  GIGO  Input devices  Data capture  Data entry  Data input

Input Design Objectives  Select a suitable input and data entry method  Reduce Input volume  Design attractive data entry screens  Use validation checks to reduce input errors  Design required source documents  Develop effective input controls

Batch vs. Online Input  Batch – data entry is performed on specified schedule (collected as a group or batch) -- input occurs at a later time – entire group or batch processed at once  Online – immediate validation and availability of data – data is entered and input when and where it occurs – more current…  Most ISs are combination of both  Advantages/disadvantages of each

Input Volume  Input necessary data only  Do not input calculated data or data in other system files  Do not input constant data  Use codes

Designing Data Entry Screens  Restrict user access to input fields  Descriptive caption  Sample formats of fields if necessary  Require ending keystroke  Field exit numeric fields  Interpret zeroes after decimals  Display default values  Match layout of source document  Confirm accuracy

Input Errors  Data Validation check – Sequence check – Existence check – Data type check – Range check – Reasonableness check – Validity check – Batch controls

Source Documents  Used to collect and request input data – Form layout – Heading Zone – Control Zone – Body Zone – Total Zone

Input Control  Necessary measures to ensure that input data is correct, complete, and secure.

– Audit Trail – Data Security – Encryption

Output Design  End Users see finished product  Types of reports – Hard copy / soft copy – Detail/control break/exception/summary – Internal/external

Output Design  Report design principles – Headers – Footers – Column headings / alignment – Column spacing – Field order – Grouping of detail lines – Totals/subtotals – Uniform and consistent  Report analysis form

Designing Character Based Reports  Print spacing chart  Constant data  Detail lines  Numeric detail data  Alphanumeric detail data  Spacing – column and line  Multi-page reports  Greenbar??

 Mockup – Report Approval

Printing Volume and Time Requirements  TCO  Length calculations  Time calculations  Approximations only!!!

Output Control  Integrity  Security  Page numbers  End of report  Privacy  Number of printed copies – to whom ??

 Confidential reports??