Cognitive Models in User Interface Design

Abstract

Modeling user decision making and problem solving tasks has become a basic requirement for identifying user needs and task requirements and the prerequisite step to developing user interface technologies. In our work in developing new user interface concepts for naval command centers, we have been using cognitive modeling techniques to capture the goals and actions of users, represent those goals and actions as cognitive models, and use those models to assess the utility of user interface options. The purpose of this paper is to show how cognitive modeling has becoming a fundamental component of our design process, and is being used to assess user interface options before actual prototype development commences.