Research & Model User Development When a client wants to imbed detailed user behavior in their system, a proven process includes use of the Human Model Processor and traditional Task Analysis to model user behavior. How does Design Technologies do it? Careful task analysis in the form of GOMS modeling (Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rules) is performed on the high level goal. The assumptions regarding the model human processor are also specified. For example, a typical assumption in user modelling is that the user is performing with error free behavior. Another might be the type of machine or amount of expertise the model human has. Once the task analysis is completed, loose estimates of performance time are calculated based on a wide body of psychological literature (e.g., Card, Moran, and Newell's The Psychology of Human Computer Interaction (1983)). The model human processor is based on a premise that we can reduce human behavior to an information-processing system. It is described by a set of memories and processors together with a set of "principles of operation." There are three sub-systems in the model human processor: perceptual, motor, and cognitive. For some tasks the model human may be able to process them in parallel for others a task may need to be processed serially. The model may then be abstracted and imbeded in the product behaviors. The model may also be used create a computable model to simulate user behavior for test or evaluation of designs. To Design Technologies' Home Design Technologies Portland, OR Copyright © 2009 by Design Technologies