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Usability problems found:
- Catastrophic - usability/error handling - names entered in the package/items forms must be exact--many users added whitespace before or after names and the form would not accept them. We should strip all whitespace from forms before they're submitted.
- Major - shortcuts/safety/error handling - package and item editability is not intuitive--users said they were looking for an edit button to switch into edit mode. We should add an edit button that when clicked clearly makes fields editable.
- Minor - consistency/match the real world - the icon for items is confusing because it is a picture of tools. We should use a picture of more commonly lent items--movies, pool equipment, ping pong paddles, broom, etc.
- Minor - consistency/match the real world -instead of "checking in/out" items, users preferred the term "lend". We should change the buttons to be labeled "lend" and "return".
- Minor - consistency/match the real world -instead of "adding" or "releasing" packages, users preferred the terms "receive" and "deliver". We should change the buttons to be labeled "receive" and "deliver".
- Major - visibility of system status/put the user in control - users said they wanted notifications for new notes so they would know to check the notes page. We should add iphone-style push notifications.
Additional features requested:
- users wished they could leave sticky notes on any page and view them all on the notes page. We should consider implementing site-wide stickies.
- users wanted to be able to add packages for non-residents (which our system does not allow) because dorm desk workers often hold packages for non-residents. We should add another page for non-resident pick-ups or find a way to incorporate it into the packages page.
- users wanted a "received by" field for packages, so they would know which desk worker performed the action. We should add this field.
- users wanted a date field for items so they would know when an item was last checked out. This was so they could contact residents who kept an item for too long. We should add this field. We should also have the system automatically e-mail people who borrow items for longer than a week, reminding them to return the item.users said they wanted notifications for new notes so they would know to check the notes page. We should add iphone-style push notifications.
Reflection
What we learned/What we would do differently:
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