Varieties of User-Centeredness

Abstract

This paper critically examines user-centeredness as a multidimensional concept along four aspects: as user focus; as work-centeredness; as user participation; and as system personalization. Each aspect loads user-centeredness with different meanings. It is discussed whether user centered design can be considered an information systems development approach on its own. In its current form, we do not see it as a separate approach, because it is neither horizontally nor vertically complete, and because of the overall confusion regarding its goals, principles and practices. The four dimensions identified can be used for evaluating information systems development methods and approaches to what extent they adhere to the ideals of user-centeredness.