In the STRIA project we have suggested a new version of the Contextual persona method. Results from observations on how the digital work environment is for many users have shown that it is common that users in health care and administrative work use up to 20 systems during one day. Changing from one software system to another can add to the cognitive load that the users have, especially, if the user interface of the systems varies a lot. To help developers understand the complexity of the digital work environment of users, we defined a method called the Contextual Personas. See another blog on what contextual personas are: https://www.htogroup.org/2019/10/10/working-with-contextual-personas/
This new version of the contextual persona method was used in a course on user centred design at Reykjavik university. The 60 students were asked to make contextual personas as a part of their design process, designing software using in a work environment. The students worked in 14 groups and defined two contextual personas for their project. A template was defined and the students were introduced to the method. After using the method we asked the students for their feedback on the method and suggestions for improvements. They were mostly positive and provided us with good comments also on how to make the method even better.
