Table of Contents

Ordering and Payment Information

Description of IT Services

Description of Commercial Job Titles

Ordering and Payment Information

To initiate an order, Cognetics requires a statement of work (SOW), which we will help you prepare.  The SOW outlines the general project scope and goals, the schedule, and an estimate of the time and job titles required.

The following telephone number(s) can be used by ordering agencies to obtain technical and/or ordering assistance:

• (609) 799-5005 x 231 – Deborah Nelson Young
• (301) 587-7549 – Scott Gilkeson

The address for both ordering and payment is:

Cognetics Corporation
PO Box 386
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550

Cognetics also maintains an office in the Washington, DC area at:

Cognetics Corporation
1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 209
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Description of IT Services

Cognetics Corporation provides user-centered design services for application software, web sites, e-commerce and other software systems.  Specifically, user-centered design includes:

• User Interface and Web Site Interaction Design – determining the layout of screens, the overall navigational scheme, the mechanisms for choices, links, and user input, and all aspects of how the application or web site works from the user point of view.
• Information Architecture – organizing and categorizing content and developing access strategies, including various sorts of search and indexing strategies.
• Usability Evaluation – using one or more of several techniques for evaluating applications, web sites, or prototypes, including paper prototypes.  These techniques include:
• usability tests – formal or informal structured observation of typical users attempting to accomplish general or specific tasks.  May be videotaped and the tapes edited for presentation of results.
• heuristic (expert) reviews – evaluation of adherence to generally accepted rules (heuristics) by one or (preferably) more usability experts, resulting in a report with recommendations for improvements
• Graphical Screen Design – design of the appearance of screens and individual user interface objects, such as icons and buttons.  This skill is quite distinct from graphical design for print.
• User, Task and Needs Analysis – research into the workflow, existing systems, unmet needs, and other aspects that go into the design of software systems.  Techniques include:
• contextual inquiry – observation and interviewing of typical users in their typical work environment, in order to collect information on their overall experience and work behavior
• focus groups – structured discussion and brainstorming among a group of typical users, facilitated by a usability specialist, to elicit needs and new ideas for improved systems.
• Product Conceptualization – facilitating the process of determining goals and needs for new systems or proposed revisions and insuring that the system will meet expectations of the organization and the users.
• Performance Support – design of systems to enhance worker productivity and effectiveness, through just-in-time training, embedded job aids, and clear, intuitive and informative user interfaces.
• User-Centered Design and LUCID Training – practical application of usability principals in the context of Cognetics’ LUCID Framework™ presented in a workshop format.

Description of commercial job titles (labor categories) for those individuals who will perform the services

Commercial Job Title:  Usability and Interface Design Specialist

Minimum/General Experience:  Two (2) years of experience in computer software or World Wide Web design and usability.  Requires competence in all aspects of usability, including user-centered requirements gathering, design specification, prototype evaluation, usability testing and technical information communication.

Functional Responsibility:  Identifies and understands user and organizational requirements and context of use, produces design solutions, evaluates designs against requirements, produces detailed user interface specifications, supports rollout of new systems to user base.

Minimum Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Graphic Arts or other related subject area.

Commercial Job Title:  Senior Usability and Interface Design Specialist

Minimum/General Experience:  Five (5) years of experience in computer software or World Wide Web design and usability. Requires competence in all aspects of usability, including user-centered requirements gathering, design specification, prototype evaluation, usability testing and technical information communication.

Functional Responsibility:  Identifies and understands user and organizational requirements and context of use, produces design solutions, evaluates designs against requirements, produces detailed user interface specifications, supports rollout of new systems to user base. Plans and manages the Human-Centered Design process.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Graphic Arts or other related subject area.

Commercial Job Title:  Principal

Minimum/General Experience:  Ten (10) years of experience in computer software or World Wide Web design and usability. Requires mastery of all aspects of usability, including user-centered requirements gathering, design specification, prototype evaluation, usability testing and technical information communication.

Functional Responsibility: Plans and co-ordinates the Human-Centered Design process.  Works with business and technical representatives and the project team to develop a conceptual map of the user interface as the basis for screen design.

Minimum Education: MBA, Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Graphic Arts or other related subject area.

Commercial Job Title: Senior Principal

Minimum/General Experience:  Twenty (20) years of experience in computer software or World Wide Web design and usability.  Requires mastery of all aspects of usability, including user-centered requirements gathering, design specification, prototype evaluation, usability testing and technical information communication.

Functional Responsibility:  Plans and co-ordinates the Human-Centered Design process.  Works with business and technical representatives and the project team to develop a conceptual map of the user interface as the basis for screen design.  Works with Senior Management on strategic initiatives and organizational success factors.