User-centred design and the next generation OPAC - a perfect match?
Henrik Lindström, Martin Malmsten · 2008
The shortcomings of today’s OPACs have been widely debated over the last few years. It is clear that the OPAC has been falling behind in the general development of web applications. We now see a new generation emerging, but how do we make sure that we do not lose ground again? In order to keep and possibly attract new users, we need to offer applications that comply to their expectations. This paper suggests a combination of iterative development and user-centred design as a way to develop systems that will meet the constantly changing demands on functionality, at the same time as supporting usability. The paper gives a short introduction to iterative software development and user-centred design. A case study of the development of the new version of LIBRIS, the Swedish National Union Catalogue, is used as an example of how these methodologies can benefit from each other in practice. Pros and cons with the two methodologies and how they were adopted in the LIBRIS-project are also discussed.