Towards a Framework of Design Models

This paper presents a framework for examining design models (e.g. task models, dialogue models) and their usage in the design process (e.g. elicitation, evaluation). The framework provides a basis for describing design methods in terms of the models they incorporate, for exploring the common ground between methods and for analysing studies of design in practice. The ideas are exemplified in a discussion of the use of task models in three design methods. Keywords Design methods, models, design support, task models. INTRODUCTION Many types of information, often explicitly represented as 'models', are used in the design of interactive systems, e.g. user models, task models, dialogue models. Each model has various uses. The models in combination with their use form the basis of design methods and techniques. Design methods generally describe a series of phases, where each phase involves one or more activities using models, e.g. eliciting the information in the model, manipulating the m..