Usability Engineering

These days, usability is a critical factor in the development and design of software and Internet applications. Quite often, functionality is included in software that cannot be used or used properly because the feature is either too complicated or because the user is unable to find it.


According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), usability is defined as the extent to which a product can be used by certain users in order to attain certain goals effectively, efficiently and satisfactorily in a specific usage context [TA08, page 4]. Consequently, the suitability for certain uses and hence the compatibility of a system within the context of usage, is defined in a specific user context.


Jakob Nielsen [93] lists the following objectives as the benchmark for the quality of user interactions with a system:

  • Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design?
  • Efficiency: Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks?
  • Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency?
  • Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors?
  • Satisfaction: How pleasant is it to use the design?

UXQCC

User Experience Quality Certification Center Defining Standards for User Experience and Usability Worldwide

User Experience Qualification Center (UXQCC) develops and maintains certificates for user experience and usability professionals, for companies and for products. UXQCC certifications are valued by UX organizations and companies worldwide. Continuous improvements, supervised by an international board of experts from industry and universities ensures our quality of certifications and trainings. Theoretical knowledge, practical skills and didactic excellence are combined to form one of the world´s most advanced schemes for UX education.

Please find a short overview to this certification scheme here.

The vision is to continually advance and improve the UX field by defining and maintaining a Body of Knowledge which enables UX experts to be certified.

The UXQCC Board
The UXQCC Board consists of experts from industry and academia to combine theoretical and practical knowledge. All members of the Board can be found here.

Further information can be found here.

 

Foundation Level (FL)

It forms the base for a today’s key qualification in the software/internet sector. The acquired knowledge assures a proficiency in definitions and basics on the human-machine-interaction and software-ergonomics.


Advanced Level (AL)

Target Group:
People and companies with a Foundation level certification, who would like dug deeper in human-machine-interaction and the process of usability engineering.

FAQ

I have lost my certificate. Is it possible to apply for a new one?
It is possible to apply for a replacement certificate; a processing fee of € 35 will be charged.

Is it possible to review the exam?
For a fee of € 80, a target-actual comparison can be performed at our business premises in Nuremberg, Germany. Conducting a target-actual comparison means that you will be presented the exam questions along with the solutions. You will have a time limit of 15 minutes to conduct this review. Subsequently, you will be denied access to the questions that are currently being used in the exam.
If I do not pass, is it possible to take the exam again?
Yes, you can re-take the exam; however, you will be charged another exam fee.

Do I have to meet any prerequisites to participate in the Foundation Level?
No.

Is it possible for me to take the Advanced Level exam immediately without first passing the Foundation Level exam?
No. Before you are eligible to take the Advanced Level exam it is mandatory for you to have passed the Foundation Level exam.

When will my certificate expire?
The validity of both the Foundation and the Advanced Level certificates is indefinite.

Will I incur any other fees besides the exam fee?
No.

Will I have to attend a course before I sign up for the exam?
No, attending a course is a choice you make at your discretion. You can also take the test by self-study. However, we recommend you attend a course offered by an accredited training provider.

Will you notify my supervisor/employer as to whether I have passed or failed the exam?
No.