User-centered design as a source of innovation and performance

User-centered design involves considering users and their needs throughout the development process of a product or IT application. User-centered design is based on ergonomics and usability criteria. It differs greatly from other design approaches in that it seeks to adapt the product to the end user, rather than imposing a mode of use chosen by the designers or often dictated by technology or economics. This fact sheet presents the characteristics of user-centered design, based on its definition described in the 2010 ISO 9241-210 standard (which supersedes ISO 13407). Its aim is to explain to the reader the main methods involved in each stage of the user-centered design cycle.

ISO 9241-210 : 2010 provides requirements and recommendations for human-centered design principles and activities throughout the lifecycle of interactive computer systems. It is intended for use by those responsible for managing the design process, and addresses the ways in which hardware and software components of interactive systems enhance human-system interaction.