Book Review: Cost Justifying Usability
Dennis R. Wixon · ACM SIGCHI Bulletin · 1995
Bias and Mayhew and their contributing authors provide a comprehensive overview of cost justification methods applied to human computer interaction. The book is replete with worked detailed examples and specific case studies. The book also presents a broader perspective of the development of usability in an organization. This broader perspective balances the relatively precise focus of a cost benefit analysis in a particular project. Overall, the book represents an important milestone in the evolution of user interface design. That evolution has taken us from a collection of well founded and simple principles (Gould and Lewis 1985) to a wide variety of detailed methodologies (Nielsen, 1993, 1994). In addition, the place of usability in design has evolved from an interesting footnote to a key role in the success of any development effort. As we ask the development community to stretch their thinking and work practice to include usability, we need to be ready to stretch our thinking and work practice to include the broader business and cultural context in which we operate. This book represents an important milestone in our individual and collective growth.This review covers the audience and goals of the book, the content of the chapters, and an overall assessment.