User-Centered Interface Improvements: An Example for Dormitory Administrators

This academic paper delves into enhancing the work experience of dormitory administrators in China, utilizing human-centered design principles. It adopts a comprehensive user involvement approach, incorporating methods like in-depth interviews, detailed observations, and thorough user profiling. These techniques are instrumental in developing a preliminary prototype of an application. The key aim of this prototype is to tackle prevalent challenges in the field, such as complex information management and the issue of low job recognition among administrators. This initiative represents a significant step towards improving administrative processes and acknowledges the critical role of dormitory administrators in educational institutions. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for evaluating the usability and decision-making effectiveness of interfaces. This process, which includes the participation of a focus group, is pivotal for conducting comparative importance analysis. By applying AHP, the study facilitates a meticulous reorganization and optimization of interface elements. This optimization is guided by the calculated weights assigned to different elements, with a clear objective to enhance both visibility and usability. The approach demonstrates a structured method to quantify subjective user preferences, thus allowing for a more targeted and user-friendly design. Significant improvements in user satisfaction are observed through System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaires, indicating the effectiveness of the iterative design process. The study exemplifies the application of human-centered design principles in improving work experience, emphasizing their potential in various fields.