Norman, Donald A. "Cognitive Engineering." (1986) http://brainimaging.waisman.wisc.edu/~perlman/papers/ HumanFactors/2%20norman%20cognitive%20engineering %20user%20centered%20system%201986.pdf-2up--1-perSig.pdf
Notes
Section:1. An Analysis of Task Complexity
2. Toward a Theory of Action
3. Conceptual Models and the System Image
4. On the Quality of Human-Computer Interaction
5. Design Issues
1986: Ronald Reagan, Tax Reform Act
"...neither Cognitive Psychology, nor Cognitive Science, nor Human Factors."
Goals:
The work is broken into five sections.
Single variable to object mappings leave out control complecities.
"The correct conceptual model can transform confusing, difficult tasks into simple, straightforward ones."
Theory of Action: How people do things.
"There isn’t any realistic hope of getting the theory of action, at least for a long time, but we should be able to develop approximate theories."
"...a person interacts with a system..."
psychological vs physical
"...design, analysis, and use of systems."
Each Gulf is unidirectional.
Gulf of Execution: "...from Goals to Physical System."
Gulf of Evaluation: "...from Physical System to Goals."
Stages of User Activity:
Conceptual Model: scaffolding to cross gaps (bridge aforementioned Gulfs)
System Image: result of physical structure built
"know both the approximate model and its limits."
Different needs and requirements have different design technique tradeoffs.
Use-modes and customizations (but causes increased programming complexity).
"Prescriptions": (What he is suggestion be done.)
"Pay attention to the "theory of action" he proposes." -Professor Fast
This paper explains the approximations involved in creating a pleasant interactions. Like Direct Manipulation Interfaces, Norman also focuses on "gulfs" or gaps between systems and their users. Norman talks about intentions vs interpretation, however in this shorter paper, he did not talk about the classifications and details of measuring those distances.
Highly recommends the value of designing for the user.