The purpose of this study was to organize menu items based on a user-process model and implement a new version of current software for enhancing usability of interfaces. Dervin & Nilan¡¯s time-line method is used to develop a user-process model for user interface design. We developed a user-process model drawn from actual users¡¯ understanding of their goals and strategies to solve their information needs by using Dervin¡¯s sense-making interviews. Six experienced subjects were recruited for the interviews. Each subject went through a learning/exploration session. They were asked to recall and describe specific information needs throughout the activity (situation), events, gaps, and uses. Subjects¡¯ step-by-step interaction with the software and their thought process were captured on tape and in memo notes. The data obtained from the interviews were then analyzed inductively based on Dervin¡¯s Sense-Making theory (timeline). The events, gaps, and uses (help/hurt) elicited from each subject were chronologically ordered within each user¡¯s situation, and merged across all subjects to yield a master timeline matrix illustrating the use of the features of the software. The master timeline guided changes to the initial traditional menu for the product producing a reorganized, user-process driven interface. The new interface was implemented for usability testing.
