The System’s Work Model does not fit the User’s Work Model

• Any system forces a specific way for tasks to be done

• System’s Work Model

• Every user has an understanding of how a task should be done

• Conceptual Model, Mental Model

• For applications like the SIS the system’s model is hard to understand and work with because it makes no sense in terms of the work being done.

• Causes errors, non-use

Slide Comments:

When presenting the ideas of system’s work models vs. user’s work model try to do it in the context of a poor application that the students could possibly identify with. For example, making schedules using SIS.

Any system we design imposes a specific way a task must be done – it imposes a model on the way work is done.

A key aspect (possibly the most important ) to designing usable systems have the systems work model fit user’s conceptual models of the work. The system should be a natural tool for the user to accomplish a task so they focus on the task and not the tool they are using.

Systems that do not fit the user’s work model can cause errors, mis-use, and non-use.