Supermarket Online System

Question: Discuss about the Supermarket Online System. Answer: Overview This brief will provide all the necessary parameters that are needed to meet an efficient user interface. For instance, the proposed users (Use case) will be highlighted to provide a clear and elaborate picture of the systems usability (Usability, 2017). Finally, the evaluation criteria i.e. milestone accomplishment will be identified. To meet these design requirements, a user centred design is proposed where the targeted users are considered in the development process. Therefore, the cognitive abilities and limitations of the users will be considered. Scope This report will focus on the design of a system that applies the concepts of user-centred design method. This approach will focus on the tasks performed by the users more so, through their behaviours, attitudes and motivations. Through this design, this project will develop a conceptual design that will outline the implementation of the different user interfaces. Objectives, Outputs and Targets To meet the overall user requirements as set by the assessment criterias i.e. interviews and other requirement determination methods. User Requirements Functional Requirements An interface that allows user to search and view products. An interface to help users make their orders. Users will also want to know the price of their order products therefore, system that provide visual confirmation of ordered placed in the shopping cart. An interactive interface to guide the user (using instructions) on their tasks. Objectives determined from requirements A search tab that will enable the user to search their desired products. A viewing tab holding the names and pictures of the available products. Description tab to help the user make their purchasing decisions, moreover it will also identify and distinguish the orders i.e. picked or in the shopping cart. Outputs and Targets Outputs: View products An interface that will display the products including their price, size and other affiliated details (expiry date etc). Placing order Under each product a checking button will be provided, when picked it will be outlined with a tick symbol. After placing order the user will get a confirmation message after clicking the confirmation button. Purchasing order (checkout) User is requested to enter their payment plan/method. A visual confirmation (pop-up) is produced to confirm purchases made, plus with an option to reject the purchases made. Targets: Resource determination Interface outline and design Development Final system i.e. interfaces (Liu, 2013) Use Cases Users of the design The shoppers; new and old (active) Online Shopping: Customers shopping cart Deleting, Editing and Adding items Viewing the Items Identification Purchasing orders Users Identity, Chosen orders User identity and payment services Registering customers Authentication Success Criteria First, the milestone already established as they offer a heuristic assessment of the objectives achieved and outline the number (as well as time) of tasks that are completed. Secondly, based on the users requirements and the experiences they exhibit. Finally, based on the assessment goals of usability i.e. interface memorability, satisfaction, and frequency of errors (Liu, 2013). Key Assumptions Users want an easier and technologically innovative way to make their purchases. Users always have their devices Users prefer online shopping as compared to traditional (walk-in) shopping. Design Aims To meet the user requirement we must establish the users in question, for this project, the design will target users who own and use mobile devices. This target group will be accomplished by the design which will involve the users themselves (User centred) where early focus, in terms of surveys and interviews will be conducted. Moreover, empirical studies involving the reactions of the users will be conducted through observation, simulations and assessments (Pichler, 2012). In addition to this, an iterative design (similar to an agile approach) will be used to develop the system, therefore, facilitate better designs. This approach will minimise the number of errors or problems observed with the final system as faults will be identified at each subsequent design phase and fixed to proceed to the next. Moreover, a user centred design will cater for the different variations in user requirements thus the design will meet overall scope of a holistic system Furthermore, it will enable universal usability and accessibility where users will use the system while having different systems/platforms. Design Outline Interfaces or wireframes: Home screen the overall interface that will display the details of the shop in question. Most notably in this section will be a menu with user guidance information e.g. how to make purchases among other. Moreover, a visible button to access the available products. Shopping An interactive interface with description tabs, search tab and questions icon. Moreover, each product will be displayed having a check button for selection. The description tab will then outline the details of the chosen product (price, size etc.). Purchase A verification interface that will outline the products in the shopping cart and their prices. A button to accept and reject the orders is provided plus a final purchase button. NB: After each subsequent interface is a button asking for user verification i.e. to the next (or previous) interface. Blue is the overall design colour as its simple and can easily merge with other colours. Arial font (legible) with a font size of 12. Proposed Evaluation Methods Natural setting Testing the designed system in the real world absent of a control environment thus enhancing it practicality. Expert review: Heuristic evaluation An overall assessment covering system visibility, consistency, flexibility, aesthetic design and error prevention among many others (Nielsen, 1995). Consistency inspections and reviews repetitive assessments of the functionality and usability of the design while meeting all the necessary requirements. References Carleton. B. (2013). Real-time User Interface Design. Retrieved 08 March, 2017, from: https://lostechies.com/chrismissal/2013/08/20/realtime-user-interface-design/ Liu. S. (2013). Building Online Shopping Website Based On ASP.NET and SQL Server. Retrieved 28 February, 2017, from: https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/59337/Final%20thesis.pdf?sequence=1 Nielsen. J. (1995). 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design. Nielsen Norman Group. Retrieved 24, April, 2017, from: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/ Pichler. R. (2012). Agile user interface design. Retrieved 08 March, 2017, from: https://www.romanpichler.com/blog/agile-user-interface-design/ Usability partners. (2017). User requirements analysis. Retrieved 28 February, 2017, from: https://www.usabilitypartners.se/services/user-requirements-analysis.php Usability. (2017). User Interface Design Basics. Retrieved 28 February, 2017, from: https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/user-interface-design.html