Assignment 2 - Preliminary Design


For this assignment you will pick a project with your team and generate the initial design of your project. Part of this project will be discussing with your team members what product you are interested in building. This could be software (web, mobile, desktop, etc.) or hardware (physical device, wearable technology, etc.).

For this assignment, check this list to find your team if you have not done so already! These are the individuals you will be working with throughout the semester starting with this assignment! Make sure to write down all of the team members on your final deliverable!

Brainstorm

With your team, brainstorm what project you would like to work on during the semester. I suggest giving each member a 1 minute elevator pitch (or 5-6 sentences if e-mailed) of an idea that can be worked on. It is okay to think big, but do consider in the pitch what can be completed (or what part of a big project) can be presented as the final deliverable.

**If you are wanting to complete a project individually because this is part of a larger research project--please seek me individually to discuss expectations. Otherwise you will work with your team members. And regardless, you will give your paper presentation as the designated team.

User and Task Analysis

You will then perform a user and task analysis. Both of these tasks are what you previously did in A1. For the user analysis, answer who your target audience is, where your product would be used, in what contexts, in what environments, and the frequency of the use. You may also think of other metrics you want to list--be complete and precise!
For the task analysis, identify at least 3 usability goals, defining how the user and system work together to achieve that goal. You did this previously in A1.

Conceptual Model

Once again, this is a repeat of what you performed in PS 1. The expectation is that you pick key objects in your product that have attributes, relationships, actions on objects, actions on object attributes, and actions on object relationships. Have at least 4 key objects in your system.

Functionality and usage scenarios

Functionality and usage scenarios describe how a user interacts with your system. Here is a brief example using Microsoft Word.

Assumptions

Throughout your assignment, state any assumptions that you may have. In each catagory, the goal is that this is self-evident, but you may add additional information as you see fit.

Organization

Please use bulleted lists and tables where appropriate. Start to think of your deliverables as a blueprint, such that another team in the class could follow along with your project. Use pictures, video, and add elements as you see appropriate.


Grading Rubric and Submission


You will submit your homework as a pdf on Blackboard for the CS 5340 course. Please do not e-mail me your submission. You may use tools like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or Libre Office to generate .pdf files for submission.

The following rubric will be used to evaluate your work: