IDENTIFYING TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR USER-CENTRIC PRODUCT DESIGNS

• US 20080147451A1
• Filed: 12/18/2006
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: SCHNACK, LISA J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,090,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method to identify technological solutions for user-centric product designs is disclosed. The method includes acquiring knowledge of a user-centric product goal and a user outcome, identifying actions that may achieve the desired user outcome, and identifying tasks pertaining to each action. Upon identifying actions that may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome and identifying tasks corresponding to each action, technology may then be considered and technological solutions for performing the tasks may be determined. A visual depiction of the technological solutions charted to the corresponding tasks may be provided to assist with designing a product best suited for product users. The identified technological solutions may be implemented into the product design to produce a user-centric product.

Claims

1. A method for identifying at least one technological solution for use in a user-centric product design, comprising:

acquiring knowledge of at least one user outcome based on a user-centric product design goal;

identifying at least one action to realize at least a portion of the at least one user outcome;

identifying at least one task for the at least one action; and

identifying at least one technological solution for the at least one task.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-centric product design is a design for a new product or product feature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-centric product design is a design for an existing product or product feature.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the knowledge of the at least one user outcome is acquired by determining the at least one user outcome.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising acquiring knowledge of at least one user-centric product design goal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the knowledge of the at least one user-centric product design goal is acquired by determining the at least one user-centric product design goal.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a visual depiction of the at least one technological solution charted to the at least one task.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the visual depiction of the at least one technological solution charted to the at least one task is a flow diagram.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing the at least one technological solution into the user-centric product design.

11. A method for identifying at least one computer software solution for use in a user-centric product design, comprising:

prior to considering technology;

acquiring knowledge of at least one user-centric product design goal,

acquiring knowledge of at least one user outcome based on the at least one user-centric product design goal,

identifying at least one action to realize at least a portion of the at least one user outcome, and

identifying at least one task for the at least one action; and

identifying the at least one computer software solution for the at least one task.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the user-centric product design is a design for a new product or product feature.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the user-centric product design is a design for an existing product or product feature.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the knowledge of at least one user-centric product design goal is acquired by determining the at least user-centric product design goal.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the knowledge of at least one user outcome is acquired by determining the at least one user outcome.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a visual depiction of the at least one computer software solution charted to the at least one task.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the visual depiction of the at least one computer software solution charted to the at least one task is a flow diagram.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising implementing the at least one computer software solution into the user-centric product design.

19. A method for developing a computer software product, comprising:

prior to considering technology;

acquiring knowledge of at least one user-centric product design goal,

acquiring knowledge of at least one user outcome based on the at least one user-centric product design goal,

identifying at least one action to realize at least a portion of the at least one user outcome, and

identifying at least one task for the at least one action;

identifying at least one computer software solution for the at least one task;

providing a visual depiction of the at least one computer software solution charted to the at least one task, wherein the visual depiction of the at least one computer software solution charted to the at least one task is a flow diagram; and

developing the computer software product by implementing the at least one computer software solution into the product design for the computer software product.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the computer software product is a new product, a new product feature, an existing product, or an existing product feature.