Contextual Design Work Modeling

Lauren SerotaProfessor, Austin Center for Design

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Ethnography Synthesis Prototyping

Now that we’ve observed, interviewed and collected data, we can begin to make sense of it.

Contextual Design Work ModelingFormalizes research data and insights in a concise, systematic and visual manner in the form of a model.

Why are models important?

Models provide:A means to organize huge amounts of dataA shared language and understanding of the dataA way to “see” the data

-Specifically, breakdowns, opportunities and gaps in what you observed/researched.

Research MethodsContextual Design Modeling, uses 5 different kinds of work models to visually document research data.

Research MethodsContextual Design Modeling requires a detailed transcript of your research session.

You must make a transcript of your inquiry prior to beginning modeling.

Each hour of video takes ~2 to transcribe.

Research Methods

Transcription can happen as a team:

1. Set aside 3-4 hours2. Get a projector or TV, some good speakers3. Have one person operate the video while

the other types.

Research MethodsList all Participants

Line numbers = a logical chunk of dialogue & events per a certain time

Time stamp from video Write exactly

what was said and done.

Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides

1. Flow ModelHow work is divided among roles and coordinated, without regard for time.

Prepares sandwiches and warm food in the kitchen area. Takes orders from customers, prepare

bakery orders. Deliver food to customer.

Prepares food for baking, also works bakery counter and register.

Owns

Does accounting and keeps things in order. Maintains

customer relationships

Prepares most food and baked goods. Everything in the

establishment is his recipe.

Flow Model

Prepares sandwiches and warm food in the kitchen area. Takes orders from customers, prepare

bakery orders. Deliver food to customer.

Prepares food for baking, also works bakery counter and register.

Owns

Does accounting and keeps things in order. Maintains

customer relationships

Prepares most food and baked goods. Everything in the

establishment is his recipe.

Groups (sets of people), shown as

circles

Individuals who do the

work, shown as circles

Flow of communication, shown as arrows and lines

between individuals or groups

Communication topics, shown as labels on the

flow lines

Artifacts, shown as small boxes on a

flow

Places, shown as

large boxes

Breakdowns in communication or

coordination, shown as a red lightning

bolt and annotated

Flow Model

Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides

2. Sequence ModelThe order of work tasks over time.

Work tasks are ordered and unfold over time. The steps people take aren’t random; they happen the way they do for a reason.

Sequence Model

Triggers, described in sentences or

blurbs

Intents, described in sentences or

blurbs

Actions, described in

sentences

Reference to line in transcript

Sequence Model

Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides

3. Cultural ModelThe influencers which define expectations, desires, values and the overall approach people take to their work.

Work takes place in a culture, which defines expectations, desires, policies, values and the whole mindset people take for their work.

Cultural Model

Influencers, shown as circles. The extent

of the influence, illustrated by the size of the circles

The influence, shown as an arrow pointing from one influencer

to another, and described in text.

Breakdowns in cultural influence, shown as a red

lightning bolt and annotated as necessary

Cultural Model

Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides

4. Artifact ModelThe tangible items people create and use to help them get their work accomplished

People create, use and modify things in the course of doing work. These things become artifacts, which each tell their own stories.

Artifact Model

Artifact Model A visual representation of the object, either drawn, photographed, or scanned.

Presentation of the object, including relevant physical characteristics Information presented by the object, such as the contents of a form.

Any breakdowns shown as red lightning bolts.

Research Planning: Research Plans & Discussion Guides

5. Physical ModelThe physical environment in which work is accomplished.

Work occurs in a physical environment that either supports and enabled the work or gets in the way.

Physical Model

Physical Model

Places that work occurs, shown in

plan view and annotated

Movement throughout the space, shown as arrows and lines and

annotatedPhysical structures that define the

space, shown as geometric shapes

Hardware, software, and tools that are

present, shown visually as appropriate

Breakdowns in the physical space, shown as a red lightning bolt and annotated as necessary.

Research MethodsLabel all data on the models (citations) with line numbers from the transcript.

Legibility is very, very, very important!

Research MethodsWe get from our transcripts to our work model through an Interpretation Session.

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Lauren SerotaProfessor, Austin Center for Designlserota@ac4d.com

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