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Information and Interface Design
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nagpal.prachi@gmail.com |
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Designing a New Interaction Paradigm for Installing Microsoft Test Manager
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Guide Mamata N. Rao |
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Sponsonr Microsoft India Development Center
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Every computer user has to encounter the problem of software installation from time to time. For the more complex installation although the setup process takes the sequential paradigm, the setup experience in reality is non-linear as the installer is engaged in a lot of decision making, consumption of known and unknown information. My diploma project looked at these issues holistically and aimed at developing an interaction framework.
For the diploma project I had to look at Microsoft Test Manager in server and tools domain where the users are expected to ‘know it all’ and ‘figure it all’. This is a product for the tester community to test applications on virtual lab setups. Deployment is currently a big issue for this newly launched product and the problem resonates across other complex installs which involve multiple components and machines.
The study focused on understanding the nature of such installations and proposing interventions for the software user interface that would be apt for complex installation procedures. Two ideas which drove the project were: to design a seamless experience for installations that is scalable and generic and to simplify the process to make it more efficient and product specific for the product team to use.
The project succeeded in its attempt to introduce a goal task approach in server and tools domain. This line of thought was well appreciated to be imbibed for such instances in the future. Setup structures were viewed as linear sequential processes moving from activity to activity and completing each step. My project broke away from this view and proposed a two dimensional process allowing movement in time and space. This proposal is a new thought and needs more refinement and detailing through a round of user testing. |
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