Semester Project Overview – CS 3724, Fall 2005

The semester-long process will allow you to practice all of the major components of the scenario-based design (SBD) process. The five phases will build upon one another in a cumulative fashion, and you will be working on the same problem/system the entire semester. Although we will do these phases in a modular, linear way due to the constraints of this course, keep in mind that typically the different components of SBD are interweaved in an iterative, non-linear, parallel way.

Each group has the task of designing a new interactive system using SBD. The project will progress through five phases:

• Phase 1: Requirements analysis. Assigned Sept. 1. Due Sept. 22.
• Phase 2: Activity and information design. Assigned Sept. 22. Due Oct. 13.
• Phase 3: Interaction design and prototyping. Assigned Oct. 13. Due Nov. 1.
• Phase 4: Evaluation. Assigned Nov. 1. Due Nov. 17.
• Phase 5: Redesign and final report. Assigned Nov. 17. Due Dec. 7.

The result of the semester project is not meant to be a robust, working system. Rather, it is a well-developed system design with one or more prototypes.

Groups will be able to choose from three broadly-defined options for their interactive system:

• An interactive display to be installed outside of an individual's office, for the purpose of enhancing communication between the individual and his co-workers, clients, students, etc.
• A system using mobile technology (laptops, tablet PCs, handhelds, etc.) to be used in group meetings, for the purpose of improving meeting productivity and collaboration between meeting participants
• An in-car music selection system, for the purpose of allowing drivers to safely control a portable music system such as an iPod

These options are purposely left open-ended and vague. Each option will be pursued by 2-3 groups, and it should be interesting and instructive to see how different groups come up with different designs and solutions for the same general topic.