Observe
Refine
PerkinElmer/MDS Sciex (2003)
Design Objective:
Design the interface for a new type
of protein research instrument from the ground up with a user-centered design
approach. Operational simplicity is the mandate.
Design Solution:
TOFworks integrates many of the operations formerly
managed by a number of other software applications into a workflow that
parallels what researchers do in the field. Sample tracking, data acquisition,
peak picking,
database
searching, and reporting, can now be accessed through a consistent interface
that steps through each process. This integration also simplifies unattended
batch management. TOFworks also
bridges the control of the hardware and the information by
always providing a view and navigation of the sample
plates.
Result:
TOFworks is an integrated software and hardware package
that fits seamlessly into the workflow of protein researchers. There is
a dramatic reduction
in learning time because the software “feels like you really talked
to mass spectrometers before you designed this”. Researchers now
spend more time overcoming the challenges of drug discovery
rather than the effective operation of the instrument.
“The prOTOF is really beginning to take off - the hardware, performance and of course software are really turning heads and generating a lot of interest.” - product manager
Personas guided design decisions and tradeoffs Link: |
Tools: paper, whiteboards, Illustrator, Photoshop, VB, portable usability lab.
Team:
(2 interaction designers), 2 project managers, 2 facilitators, client
product managers and technical leads, and many many customers.
