Combining Naturalistic and Mathematical Decision Aids to Support Product Design

Abstract

Motivation – To increase the benefits that product designers derive from use of computer decision aids in their daily design work. Research approach – The process followed by product designers was observed through a combination of ethnographic and protocol studies to identify needs and constraints in a typical work context. Findings – The results suggest that design decisions are tightly intertwined with information seeking activities, and require great exploration flexibility. Research Implications – the benefits and appeal of decision aids might be greatly increased for product designers by additionally supporting information seeking activities that inform decisions. Originality/Value – This approach represents a paradigm shift towards a broader view of decision making as flexible set of activities that includes assessment of information adequacy and information seeking. Take away message – Practical decision aids for design need to augment rather than replace human judgment, and support a range of intertwined activities while limiting the data entry burden.

Contributors

Caroline C. Hayes

Farnaz Akhavi

Conference

Publication date: June 2009

Publication date (Print): June 2009

Pages: 45-52

Affiliations

University of Minnesota

Article

DOI: 10.14236/ewic/NDM2009.4

Copyright statement: © Caroline C. Hayes et al. Published by BCS Learning and Development Ltd. 9th Bi-annual International Conference on Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM9), BCS London

License:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Conference name: 9th Bi-annual International Conference on Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM9)

Conference acronym: NDM

Conference number: 9

Conference location: BCS London

Conference date: 23 - 26 June 2009

Conference sponsor: Electronic Workshops in Computing (eWiC)

Conference theme: Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM9)

Product

Product Information: 1477-9358BCS Learning & Development

Self URI (article page): https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14236/ewic/NDM2009.4

Self URI (journal page): https://ewic.bcs.org/

Categories

Series title: Electronic Workshops in Computing