Systems development and usability in Scandinavia

This special issue focuses on the crossroads of two different but related research disciplines, namely systems development and usability. We have chosen to focus on the Scandinavian tradition as an arena to analyse this crossroads, not because the disciplines were invented there, but because of the strong Scandinavian tradition of user oriented design. One article investigates user-driven innovation related to participatory design and Scandinavian systems design. A case of design of feedback on electricity consumption for private households based on user-driven innovation serves to exemplify the core principles of user involvement and user engagement. The other article conclude that it takes extensive management support, improved development methods, both for business and IT development and extensive development of skills and roles to be able to address these issues in a professional and sustainable manner. The other articles also focus on the implications of measuring User Experience (UX) needs. Their work spanned UX measurement needs across different levels and units at Nokia, with eight different themes being identified as a result of their research: Product experience lifecycle, Retention, User groups and use of features, Experience breakdowns, Accessibility, Perceived performance