DESIGNING FOR INTERUSABILITY: METHODOLOGICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SYSTEMS ENGINEER GLEANED THROUGH AN EXPLORATION OF THE CONNECTED FITNESS TECHNOLOGIES SPACE
W. Winchester Woodrow · Insight · 2016
ABSTRACT The current shift from singular (standalone; non‐connected) product or system design to the design of product ecosystems (interconnected smart or Internet‐of‐things products or devices such as connected fitness technologies) is challenging human‐systems integration activities. Of particular concern is designing for interusability, the user experience (inclusive of the usability) of interconnected systems. While interusability is of growing concern, little concrete design guidance (methods) exists. This paper, through a synthesis of the interdisciplinary work in this emerging area, offers the systems engineer a set of methodological recommendations in designing for interusability that underpin upstream product development process or front‐end development activities. These recommendations, specifically supporting the conceive stage of the generic product development process, include: 1) using robust tools and approaches such as storytelling in understanding & capturing user needs; 2) leveraging appropriate interoperability standards particularly those supporting architectural design; and 3) engaging user experience tools and approaches such as personas, to convey and champion interusability design considerations through downstream product development process activities. Moreover, this paper calls for more active systems engineering and engineering management disciplinary involvement in advancing both an understanding of interusability, and the development of analogous methods and approaches.