MSI Design has during many years continually refined it's design methodology for effective HSI and HMI interaction development. DesMet distinguishes itself by providing a multidisciplinary MTO approach to interaction development by considering several interrelated design factors as part of the total developmental equation. The user characteristics Organisational structures, procedures, work flows, tasks etc. Physical work environment (equipment, work place, workstations etc.) DesMet also distinguishes itself by permitting maximum flexibility in configuring a client's project as well as providing the necessary structured working templates and methods required for that project.

MSI Design's DesMet (design methodology) approach Based upon four major phases:

Project definition and planning Establishing the project framework in terms of project goals, activities and related methods to be carried out, deliverables to be produced, result evaluation crieteria, preliminary user and activity definition, project time lines and budget. In many cases this phase in itself may function as a feasability study. • Project definition and planning • Preliminary project requirement definition • Project scope and work package definition including project goal specification • Resource and budgetary palanning

Context mapping and in-use/on-site audits or evaluations Establishing a more detailed profile of the environment in which the system will function and those activities which it will support - in regards to organisation, work routines and procedures, user demographics and even the physical work environment. Context mapping activities and methods, combined with design verification methods may also be applied to the process when conducting an on - site audit. On - site or in - use audits involve conducting a systematic survey of just how well existing systems support the organisation's and user activities. • Comprehensive MTO studies (man, technology and organisation) or specific segments only • User identification and analysis • Task identification, modelling and analysis • Work flow/process flow mapping and analysis • Performance requirement identification • Physical work environment analysis • Conventional and computer based information and control system analysis

Design development Design development involves those processes and methods involved in translating those identified detailed functional task elements as well as broader organisational goals and requirements into concrete MMI and HCI interface objects and dynamic interaction techniques. Realisation of design solutions follow a three stage rocket approach with each stage, after a formal evaluation process, leading to the next stage. These three stages involve preliminary sketches, limited functional mock - ups and finally prototypes. Design development may involve developing completely new interface/interaction solutions as well as retro fitting existing systems by providing a more effective interface and interaction. • Feasability studies • Requirement specification development • Development of design concepts and detailed design development for HSI, control centres, equipment • Developing design proposals for existing HSI system interface front ends and retrofitting these design improvements • Developing detailed HSI design specifications for implementation by offshore or other third party suppliers • Detailed development of design proposals in sketch, functional model or prototype form • Development of internal design guidelines for application development

Design verification (usability verification) Design verification is a phase which to a greater extent is an ongoing process throughout the various previous phases, and in particular the design development phase. This phase involves for example compliancy checklists used in conjunction with expert evaluation, user and usability testing plus many more possible formal procedures depending upon the goals of the design verifiaction process. • Developing usability criteria specifications • Conducting usability/design verification activities • Review of system HSI by means of "in use site audits" and MSI Designs evaluation and verification protocols • Validation of normal task procedures and emergency procedures • Validation of control and instrumentation solutions

In addition

Methodology Development Assistance Assistance in developing internal design methodologies and design processes. During the years MSI Design has developed a number of specific methods for design and evaluationof HSI solutions based upon the MTO concept. HF and HSI design short courses MSI Design has a number of lecture and course alternatives ranging from 1/2 to 3 days available.

Advantages

Extensive experience from various industrial sectors Multidisciplinary HSI approach Extensive array of analysis methods for user, work flow analysis, risk analysis, design development and evaluation Flexible yet systematic methodology providing unique tailor made project method and documentation configurations Precisely specified deliverables A detailed identification of user, task and organisational requirements and other related factors necessary to or influencing the final design proposals. Design specification methods for HSI/HMI development contribute to effective off shore third party system full build activities.

Man - Systems Interface Design AB Brunnbyvägen 133 260 41 Nyhamnsläge Sweden Tel: +46 (0)42 34 47 54 Fax: +46 (0)42 34 47 54 Contact: Eric Wagner E-mail: eric.wagner@msidesign.se