Transforming paper-based assessment forms to a digital format: Exemplified by the Housing Enabler prototype app
Sammanfattning
Background: The aim of this paper is to provide the reader with an overall impression of the
stepwise user-centred design approach including the specific methods used and lessons learned
when transforming paper-based assessment forms into a prototype app, taking the Housing
Enabler as an example.
Methods: Four design iterations were performed, building on a domain study, workshops, expert
evaluation and controlled and realistic usability tests. The user-centred design process involved
purposefully selected participants with different Housing Enabler knowledge and housing adaptation
experience.
Results: The design iterations resulted in the development of a Housing Enabler prototype app.
The prototype app has several features and options that are new compared with the original
paper-based Housing Enabler assessment form. These new features include a user friendly overview
of the assessment form; easy navigation by swiping back and forth between items; onsite
data analysis; and ranking of the accessibility score, photo documentation and a data export
facility.
Conclusion: Based on the presented stepwise approach, a high-fidelity Housing Enabler prototype
app was successfully developed. The development process has emphasized the importance
of combining design participants’ knowledge and experiences, and has shown that methods
should seem relevant to participants to increase their engagement.