The Irony of Project Management standard

After a business review that included a field study and cognitive task analysis, it was found that the new software require three times more user action. The project manager reacted by saying the project scope is to make the transition, respect deadlines and budget. Meaning he does not want to change the plan. After reviewing  the findings again, they realized that the situation was even worst than they expected it. In the end, the client followed our recommendations because the facts were rock solid and we found a solution that would integrate existing technology already in use at the financial institution. Many IT (Information technology) projects are planned and scoped before need analysis or field study are done. Over the ...

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Les 10 logiciels les plus utiles de Cognitive Group – Édition 2012 standard

L’équipe expérience utilisateur (UX) de Cognitive Group publie régulièrement la liste des dix applications les plus utiles. Les choses utiles permettent de gagner du temps, d’économiser de l’énergie, d’augmenter la sécurité et d’obtenir des résultats de meilleure qualité. Google Search. Google est la passerelle ultime vers Internet. Le moteur de recherche Google fournit toutes les informations du monde au bout de vos doigts. Coursea andiTunes University. N’importe qui, n’importe où, peut désormais suivre gratuitement des cours avec les meilleurs instructeurs du monde. Les possibilités sont infinies.

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The Cognitive Approach standard

Introduction IT projects tend to be executed in distinct phases. 1. determining the business needs, 2. setting system specifications for those needs, 3. programming and then 4. testing. The first two phases usually represent 50%[1] of a project’s cost. The traditional way of determining the business needs is to ask users or subject matter experts to express the needs verbally. Analysts then transcribe them and define the system requirements that will meet the needs. System requirement’s documents are finally reviewed and approved.

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Change Management : A Catch-22 standard

The catch-22 The levels at which impacts of change are major are not understood while the levels at which impacts are minor are easily understood. Why? Most managers believe people resist change because humans have a natural desire to keep the status quo. They believe that resistance to change is a defense mechanism caused by frustration and anxiety. With this diagnostic, executives belief that good change leadership comes with a strong message from the top, effective communication plan, mandatory training and sometimes, removing undesirable parties that are labeled as strong change resistant.

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Key Considerations for Evaluating User Interface Design standard

Evaluating user interface is becoming an important skill.  At some point on your career, it is likely that you will be involved in information technology initiatives. During the course of a project, you may have to critique user interface choices. The two main techniques for evaluating a user interface are 1) Empirical Evaluation (testing with users) and 2) Heuristic Evaluation (based on a set of rules).  While empirical evaluation is by far the best technique, mastering Heuristic Evaluation is also a necessary skill.

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What user want! standard

I expect the system to provide me all  information I need without being overload. I want to be able to accomplish my task in the natural flown of my thinking without being distracted. I don’t want to have to perform unnecessary steps, actions, calculation, or take notes. I want to be able to read and understand, symbols an graphic instantly. I expect have feedback following my actions. I want interaction techniques to be consistent and familiar. I expect the system prevent errors or provide errors recovery mechanism. I want the system provide rapid method for frequent task and guidance for unfamiliar task. I want visibility. I don’t feel uncomfortable with hidden processes. I want to find my way easily.  

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Uncertainties in complex dynamic environment standard

In May Cognitive Group met with peers to present “Uncertainties in complex dynamic environment”. The presentation was connected with the review paper of Hasmik Atoyan recently accepted by JIPS (Journal d’Interaction Personne-Système). The paper is done in collaboration with Dr. Jean-Marc Robert (École Polytechnique de Montréal) and Dr. Jean-Rémi Duquet (Lockheed Martin Canada). The paper is a part of Hasmik’s PhD research at École Polytechnique related to uncertainties in complex systems. Automation can expose and create several types of uncertainties, especially in dynamic complex environments.This subject has become a topic of interest for Hasmik during her work with new technologies being developed at Lockheed Martin Canada. Poorly designed automation can increase uncertainties in the system. These uncertainties would create additional ...

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We believe in human standard

Topic: Decision Illusion This talk from Dan Ariely is a must see (presented at the TED conference, posted May 2009) People have visual illusions and cognitive (decision-making) illusions. In visual illusion we can easily demonstrate mistakes. For example, we can measure to verify if our visual comparison is right. Cognitive (decision-making) illusion is not easy to see, it’s much-much harder to demonstrate people the mistakes (for example, our selection for an option is influenced by how the information is presented). We have a feeling, we think we are in control and we are making the decision. It’s very hard even to accept the idea that we have an illusion of making the decision rather than actual decision. When decision is ...

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