TOWARDS A METHODOLOGY FOR THE DESIGN OF MULTIMEDIA PUBLIC-ACCESS INTERFACES

Interface design is particularly important in public access systems, s ince the quality of the interface will influence the effectiveness wit h which the public can gather information and conduct transactions. It is also particularly challenging. This paper examines some of the inf ormation systems methodologies that have a contribution to make in the design of interfaces for public access systems. On the basis of this examination, some of the features of methodologies that can support th e design of public access systems are identified. After an initial exp loration of the systems lifecycle, which identifies the key stages in any methodology, the paper proceeds to examine the nature and role of information systems methodologies. A variety of user-centred methodolo gies are described, including soft systems methodologies, cooperative and participative methodologies, and task-oriented approaches to desig n. An object-oriented methodology is introduced as a preliminary to th e consideration of methodologies for multimedia graphical user interfa ces. Comparisons between the stages in some of these methodologies yie ld an identification of key features for methodologies in the developm ent of public access systems. Such methodologies must accommodate: (i) the creation and structuring of conceptual content and (ii) the inter face with the marketplace, in addition to the technical and behavioura l considerations that feature in the more established user-centred met hodologies.