Week 7 Post 1

This week I went back to the suggested topic list and chose electronic performance support systems (EPSS). This is another area that I am not familiar with so I used Google for that phrase. Of course, Wikipedia was high on the list. Several definitions of EPSS were present. The one that was the most helpful to my understanding states that EPSS is "a computer-based system that improves worker productivity by providing on-the-job access to integrated information, advice, and learning experiences." The success of the EPSS is dependent on the knowledge base on which the EPSS is built.

After getting a brief overview from Wikipedia, I went to another entry on my Google list. The MSU site discussed types of EPSS'. This site had a lot more useful information although the date listed on the site is 1993. I am unsure how much these systems have changed in 16 years but I would suspect that the theories are still pertinent while the technology has advanced.

This site shows the "key" charactersistics of an EPSS as

• computer-based
• provide access to the discrete, specific information needed to perform a task at the time the task is to be performed
• used on the job, or in simulations or other practice of the job
• controlled by the user
• reduce the need for prior training in order to accomplish the task

The site then goes on to describe development of an EPSS which is typically a stand alone system, one added onto an existing system, or and entirely new system that is integrated with work processes.

This site was easy to read and comprehensive. The downside is the age of the information so I went back to the Google list and chose a 2004 article from Usability and User Experience. This article title indicated it would concentrate on designing an effective EPSS. However, I found that it was more of a detailed sales brochure that gave screen shots and examples of the product that was being presented. It was interesting to see the application of the design principles I had just read about in the 1993 information used here as the basis of the design. As I had suspected, the principles stood the test of time as the technology advanced. This page also detailed some of the usability features that I have been studying in IT580.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_performance_support_systems
https://www.msu.edu/~sleightd/epss_copy.html
http://www.stcsig.org/usability/newsletter/0401-epss.html