McIvor, I. D. with E. Probert, "The Role of Interactive Colour Graphics in Boosting User Understanding and Confidence", 1983
ua435
Our role is to advise senior British Telecom management on strategy for BT as a whole. This requires coherent strategic analysis aided by systems dynamics models. All management levels must have confidence in the models in their results. For analysing alternative futures we find that graphs are easier to appreciate and understand. We have also found that colour graphics greatly enhances the presentation of more than one curve at a time. Interaction with models in real time is a major step in boosting user confidence for it allows rapid confirmation, or rejection, of the user's prejudices. Interfaces to computer models, such as menus, bit pads, etc, are successful if they interface efficiently between the user's mental map and that which is enshrined in the model. If the user can move a 'lever' which exists in the real world and that causes the model to display the effects he expects, then he will have confidence in the model. Decision makers want the best strategy. We shall discuss how we use colour graphics to compare strategies, but that often begs the question 'Why?'. This requires techniques used in artificial intelligence, which can also be used to 'customise' interfaces to individual users.
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