The Design and Development Process

A generalized description of the design and development process is considered along with designers’ views of this process. The deficits of design and development, and the question of how to make good these shortfalls is the central theme that runs throughout this chapter. The terminology regarding cognitive modelling and formal methods is reviewed, and formal mathematical methods are considered with respect to the design and development process. Following this, some of the problems of using formal methods within design are considered. The non-formal cognitive approach to design and development is then discussed, from guidelines to techniques. Finally, the usability approach to socio-technical design is described, and some of the guidelines and methodologies for incorporating human factors into the design and development process are outlined.