ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the steps that pertain to the cognitive engineering of user-computer interfaces and the user-computer interaction process. This steps include analyzing and modeling requirements, specifying software requirements, developing and testing software, implementing system, evaluating (prototype) system, and modifying and maintaining system. The chapter also presents some examples of generic inference and decision-making requirements. The challenge remains as to how to design and develop interactive systems that will satisfy these requirements, while simultaneously minimizing operator workload. One way to accomplish these goals is through cognitive systems engineering. User-computer interaction routines, displays, dialogue, and other communications/presentation techniques can be used to narrow the gap between the way humans make inferences and decisions and the way systems support them. Substantive and display requirements and findings from cognitive science beg the technology challenge. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book.
