Structured User Interface Design

Strudctured User Interface Design, SUID, is more a conception of the user interface than a methodology for design. But, when the user interface is considered from the SUID point of view then the methodology rises.

The basic statement for this methodology is that when a user interface is to be designed there are 10 layers to define over one application-specific element: the reality objects that are to be manipulated through the computational system. The methodology itself starts with the specific identification of the reality the system is going to work with. Over this definition there are 10 layers to design:

1. Representation of the reality elements;

2. Organization of the represented elements;

3. Access method to let the user reach the represented elements;

4. Capture method for getting elements existing "outside" the system into a representation "in" the system;

5. Actualization method for making the "outside" elements to be corresponding to the "inside" elements;

6. Creation method for letting the user get new elements "mind created", into the system;

7. Destruction method so the user can "destroy" elements no longer desired in the system;

8. A collection of methods to let the user interact with the elements of the systems, meaning, to let the user "act" over the objects represented in the system;

9. A method to let the user know what the response of the represented objects has been to the actions performed; and

10. Change notification method to informthe user when an object has been changed due to the actions of other elements in the system or outside it.

Some links to usability readings and SUID references

These are some references to SUID.

These are my recommended readings to those starting in usability methods: This link includes basic readings (most of them in english some in spanish) about usability, cost justification of usability engineering and usability engineering.
If you are just getting involved in Human Computer Interaction then these readings can be of help too.
Strategies for a Better User Interface: A paper published in the SIGCHI Bulletin Volume 31 No. 3 July 1999, by Leonel Morales, author of this lens.
Toward the essence of information: A paper published in the SIGCHI Bulletin Volume 32, No. 2 March 2000, by Leonel Morales, author of this lens.
A SUID Poster: The ten layers of a user interface under the vision of SUID depicted.

Applications of the methodology

The inmediate application of this methodology is the general design of user interfaces and, in general, interaction schemes for information appliances. The methodology can be of particular interest when the design process reaches a point where a "redesign" or "reengineering" is required. The designer can select those layers whose design form is considered adequate or mature and apply redesign or modifications to those less terminated. For example, it could be possible to have an excellent representation layer buy a weak access or organization. The access design can be discarded, the organization layer could be modified, and so on.

User Centered Design (ISO 13,407) requires the iteration of design solutions meaning that several prototypes are considered for evaluation. This methodology can provide a guide to develop prototypes in each specific layer, achieving a more structured process. Comparing different interfaces or interaction schemes is also possible with this methodology. If the reality objects that are to be manipulated for two different systems are similar enough then it is possible to compare their representation layers, their access, organization, creation, destruction, capture, actualization, etc. Comparing interfaces becomes a structured task.