Usability is a quality aspect of an object or design which asseses how easy is it o use. It also refers to the methods for improving any design process. For example:

• More efficient to use — it takes less time to accomplish a particular task
• Easier to learn — There is usually a short learning curve in that an operation can be learned by observing the object quite easily
• It is a more satisfying experience for the user of an operation, an object or a website

Complex computer systems are finding their way into everyday lives of everyone around us, and at the same time the market is becoming saturated with competing brands. This has led to usability becoming more popular and widely recognized in recent years as companies see the benefits of researching and developing their products with user-oriented instead of technology-oriented methods. By understanding and researching the interaction between a product product and a user, a usability expert can provide insight that is unattainable by traditional company-oriented market research. For example, after observing and interviewing users, the usability expert may identify needed functionality or design flaws that were not anticipated. A method called "contextual inquiry" does this in the naturally occurring context of the users own environment.


In the user-centered design paradigm, the product is designed with its intended users in mind at all times. In the user-driven or participatory design paradigm, some of the users become actual or de facto members of the design team.