Phase 1: Understanding the Problem

• Overview
• User Characteristics
• Task Analysis
• Task Analysis Model
• Existing System
• Larger System
• Usability Criteria
• Process Description

1. OVERVIEW

For garden enthusiasts, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (ABG) offers a wealth of flora accessible through direct observation in natural habitats. This naturalistic resource does not offer in-depth information about the various plants observed.

A visitor would benefit tremendously from a personal information device that can provide him/her with details about the plant he/she is viewing, and to help navigate throughout the expansive gardens without destroying the naturalistic setting.

2. USER CHARACTERISTICS

While visiting ABG, Ron struck up conversations with several of the visitors. The conversational goal was to find out why guests visit the garden, with whom and what are their expectations of the visit along with how they discovered the garden.

The visitors with whom Ron conversed expressed the same general reasons for

1. finding out about the garden,
2. visiting the garden and
3. expectations of the exhibits.

These visitors stated that they had performed a brief search for things to do in Atlanta, and found ABG to be an appealing option as they enjoyed outdoor activities. Visitors were from out of state/country, and/or visiting family members who reside in the Atlanta area. Two of the visiting groups said that they were not very interested in the identity tags for the plants, but were there to enjoy the atmosphere. They also stated that they were not very inclined to practice horticulture, but instead just wanted to be in a beautifully serene atmosphere. A third discussion, with a regularly visiting plant lover, found that this individual preferred to have more information about the plants than just the name tag, as presently exists, and he was somewhat aggravated at the poor quality of the tags already in the garden. He visits to enjoy the new exhibits and learn about botany.

3. TASK ANALYSIS

A. Characteristics of the Tasks Performed by the User

Visitors of ABG can be classified into at least two distinct groups: the recreational visitor and the horticulturalist. The goals of these two groups vary to the extent that they have helped us define the tasks currently performed by most visitors.¹

Recreational visitors come to ABG with family and/or friends primarily to enjoy the atmosphere. They seem to have no particular plan for their visit - they prefer to wander the grounds.

Horticulturally-interested visitors attend for new exhibits and generally have a plan of action. They know what they want to see, and focus towards a particular site or plant. In addition, like the recreational visitor, they meander the grounds to enjoy the aesthetically pleasing environment. They often have gardening resources outside of ABG.

In addition, visitors were observed recording information with their own devices (pen and paper), as no other method was available by ABG.²

A breakdown of users:

• 50% were couples
• 25% were groups typically not numbering more than four, usually staying together
• 25% were individuals

In another observation, about 20% of the visiting population were wheelchair-bound, 80% were mobile. Also, there were no visually handicapped visitors observed.³

B. Characteristics of the Task Environment

Plant markers are the primary source of information. A few positive features of these markers were the low height that was easily viewable to wheelchair-bound users, and some of the markers were bent back for easy viewing. However, deficiencies outnumbered the positive attributes of these markers: 

• inconsistent format (black on white, white on black, plastic, metal, handwritten, printed, etc.)⁴
• weathered to the point of indistinguishability
• broken
• obscured by foliage
• located at a significant distance from the path in many instances
• easily manipulated by unauthorized personnel (i.e. mischievous children)
• not always angled for easy viewing
• missing from hanging baskets, plants and points of interest
• contained only botanical and common plant names (and unsuitable for more detailed information)

The plants themselves, which are artfully displayed and well-maintained, are also a primary source of information. Users were observed discussing the various attributes of a given plant, sometimes moving plant parts for better viewing.

Literature is available at the front entrance, but does not offer detailed information regarding the plants, and is primarily geared towards programs that are offered by ABG.

We did not observe any accessibility features for visually-impaired visitors at the facility, even though the multi-sensory aspects of the environment suits it well to this population of people - fragrant plantings and water fountains, as well as audible naturally-occurring fauna were abundant.

Benches were numerous and located throughout the gardens, offering restful and reflective spaces.

Gift shop, drink machine, café, children play area and enclosed structures are on the grounds, encouraging lingering and related activities.

C. Knowledge-Based Task Analysis Model

This model allows us to make use of readily available data, and clearly-defined taxonomic structures. Decomposition model of analysis would not work because there is no defined methodology for users to achieve their goals, and in some instances, the general goals will vary from user to user. Entity-relationship model would not be appropriate because the user's goals and tasks do not require interaction with others, nor are they dependent on a series of events occurring.

 4. THE LARGER SYSTEM

For Maintenance - Our system can make the daily work of the staff more efficient, because they may have difficulty locating annual beds when replanting, and locating deciduous plants (that change their forms each season) for ongoing plant care.

For Training - Our system could be useful for training staff of this non-profit institution who may not know much about plants.

For Education - Atlanta Botanical Garden offers adult classes. Our system can be used to enhance their educational experience.

ABG is a non-profit institute. It houses its administration facilities on-site with basic technological capabilities. Our proposed system must include limited resources, and maintenance should be done on-site.

On a much larger scale, our system could be applied to various institutions in which users experience something complicated or unseen before, and need explanation or guidance. Other promising organizations for our product include zoos, aquariums, museums, theme parks and historic sites.

5. ANALYSIS OF EXISTING SYSTEM

Visitors enter the ABG via the main entrance. They are self-directed to either go directly to the grounds, or to first pick up a map (laminated maps or paper brochures) for navigation.

The visitor can then (a) go directly to the area of interest as located by the map, or as known from previous visits, or (b) wander through the gardens.

When they have questions, they can have them answered by (a) the plant marker located adjacent to the plant (if applicable), (b) look for a staff member to ask, or (c) locate information on map (if applicable).

If the user wants to record the information derived, he/she may either record by memory or use a note pad and writing instrument or electronic device, if available.

The user can then exit the facility after returning the laminated map to the same location from which they received it.

6. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR USABILITY

These principles are the most important to our project:

Learnability

Synthesizability - Upon completion of an operation in the database, the user should be given visual feedback.

Familiarity - The user, based on real world experiences, should be able to query the information database.

Consistency - The information displayed should be uniform throughout all modules.

Robustness

Recoverability - The user should be informed when an error has occurred and given the opportunity to correct his or her mistake.

Observability - The information should be readable and the data input/output areas should be clearly labeled. The database should also have defaults set for all information that requires user selection. Finally, the user should be able to navigate through the information database.

The successfulness of our project will be measured by a questionnaire. 75% of the users must give positive answers, and must be able to use our system without more than one inquiry for directions.⁵

7. PROCESS OF PHASE ONE DEVELOPMENT

Our information gathering began with contacting the marketing director of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Ms. Julie Herron Carson, who will be our liaison throughout our project. She was able to recommend the best times to find visitors, and provide free admission to ABG to conduct our studies.

We observed visitors at a time when our liaison suggested that members (as opposed to one-time visitors) would usually be there. It is noted that members are indistinguishable from non-members during our observations. We surveyed our environment thoroughly, looking for all information dissemination artifacts. We observed visitors walking through the garden looking for information. We asked visitors how they found out about ABG, what they like about the existing information dissemination system and what they might like to see improved about the system to enhance their botanical experience. We did this on-site so that we could observe the tasks being performed, and document advantages and disadvantages of the existing system. We used this information to justify our proposal for a new system by verifying that there are problems in the existing system.

The site visit was also a way of:

• gathering information about the larger system within the ABG
• allowing us to get a spatial representation of the larger system, and further refine the scope of our project, leading to the exclusion of the Children's Garden and the Fuqua Conservatory

Other resources included ABG's website at www.atlantabotanicalgarden.com and our DFAB textbook. We also identified information resources that would be useful in forthcoming parts of the project like information about the weather since the environment is outdoors.

¹ Due to the unwieldy scope of issues related to "kiosk"-type user groups, we intend to focus our efforts towards the membership subgroup. They can provide more focused use of the facility, and repeat visitation will be an asset. Our primary challenge with this will be in distinguishing members from non-members, as there is no visual cue for this distinction.

² We limited our usability project to exclude recording tasks, since addressing this task might widen the scope of our project beyond our ability for developing a timely solution.

³ While the visually-impaired minority group is not the focus of our study, we believe their inclusion would be integral to a device that should offer redundant features for optimal efficacy. It would also support ABG marketing department's desire to expand their visitor base, and therefore enhance our relationship with them.

⁴ Observable that the inconsistencies were attributed in great part by how well-established the plants were. Permanent plants had metal imprinted markers, annuals or newly planted flora had plastic markers.

⁵Our evaluation criteria may be refined as our system development evolves.