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A Short Commentary on Usability in Northern Europe: Still a Long Way to Go

by Jakob Bruhns  (WebWord Guest Author)

"Usability", "user-friendliness", "user experience" and the like are becoming common buzzwords these days. However, seen from Copenhagen, Denmark, there is still a long way to go. Many businesses and consultants here are beginning to use the terms to promote themselves and their products. The problem is just that: it is used for marketing and image purposes rather than the core of the development process. 

Imagine a website being almost done and you get the assignment: "Please make this user friendly - you have three days. And when you're done, please write an article about how much we care for usability." I know several usability professionals who often experience this situation. They are called in at the last moment before the product or website is delivered and are expected to make miracles happen in a very short time. Of course there are success stories too. Some Nokia mobile phones have been developed in Copenhagen and they are examples of products where usability truly had a prominent place in the development process. Luckily, this becomes very clear when you experience the products. 

As a newer notion, the definitions of usability are many and diverse. However, at this time I see the problem above as the most serious one in this part of the world. Usability will have to be fully integrated into the business processes here before any real impact will be seen. Businesses have to realize that they seriously need to change their philosophy towards usability - in my opinion this is the only way to survive in a world where user experience guides everyone. 

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