Context of Use

Context of Use describes the environment in which software is used. It includes:

Users:

  • User profiles
  • Skill levels
  • Expectations

Tasks:

  • Typical user activities
  • Frequency of use
  • Critical operations

Equipment:

  • Hardware specifications
  • Software dependencies
  • Network conditions

Physical Environment:

  • Lighting conditions
  • Noise levels
  • Space constraints

Social Environment:

  • Collaborative or individual use
  • Cultural factors
  • Organisational policies

Understanding context of use is crucial for user-centred design and testing.