Statement on context of use and persona
Personas
User personas are to create realistic and reliable representations of the target audience in order to have a meaningful reference during the design phase. User personas should be based on quantitative user research, it should be noted that personas should have robust research conducted and should aim to meet the minimum following criteria:
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Describe realistic people with relatable backgrounds, goals and values
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Describe and main focus on the major needs and expectations of the important user groups
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Help illustrate the main features and functionality of the application
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Representative of the main user groups of the application
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Express a clear definition of the user’s expectations and realistic depiction of how they are likely to use the application
Benefits of Personas
A user persona can help focus decisions surrounding an applications main components allowing for a relatable real world considerations to be discussed. Personas also allow for inexpensive ways to test features during the development process, this allows a developer to prioritize features throughout the development process; it can also be beneficial in the following ways:
Allows designers to create an overarching feel and look of the website
Information architects can develop structured and well informed interactive behaviours, labelling and wireframes
Developers can decide how to best approach the functionality based on personas behavioural patterns
Practices for Developing Personas
Developing personas should always be done at the start of each project, this helps determine an applications functional requirements, it may also highlight areas where the application requires additional development and illuminate new opportunities for development. When creating personas it is recommended you create no more than four, keep in mind when creating personas it is advisable to cast a wide net and meet the needs of the larger user group than attempt to meet the needs of each and every individual user, the main objective of user personas is to represent not to represent all demographics or address all the requirements of an application but rather to focus on the main needs of the prioritized user groups, to ensure personas represent users and have the support of stakeholders throughout the project you should ensure to hit these key points:
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User research, try to answer the following questions:
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Who are your users?
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Why are they using the application?
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What expectations do they have of the system?
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Where will the user most likely use the application, i.e. what is the user’s environment?
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Condense repeating themes, look for characteristics that are relevant, specific and universal to the application and the users
[LIST]
[]Produce realistic personas, develop each personas background, experience and motivations
[*] Organize users into different demographics depending on motivations and experience classify each group with meaningful demographic names
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Preparing persona development
Objectives Questions
Purpose of the application
Describing the user
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Personal
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What is the gender of the user?
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What age is the user?
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What is the user’s educational background?
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What are the user’s interests?
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When and where will the user use the application?(User environment)
Professional
What work experience does the user have?
What is the user’s professional background?
What are the uses expectations?
Technological skills
What devices does the user use on a regular basis?
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What application does the user us on a regular basis?
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How much time does the user spend interacting with applications?
Motivation of the user
What are the user’s motivations?
What does the user want from the application?
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What does the user to do within the application?
What are the user’s needs within the application?
I still have to make a few personas but that is a rough idea of it, seems reasonable?
