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Colloquia Archive

Hands-on Requirements Analysis: LEGO Real Time Web

April 17, 2009

Abstract

This talk presents a holistic, systematic method of eliciting HCI web application requirements based on LEGO bricks. Current approaches often fail to capture requirements, because of task complexity and the stakeholders' lack of a clear analyitical view on their own needs and goals. An even greater challenge is to have stakeholders develop common expectations concerning how their web application should function and appear. This situation can lead to deadlock, disappointment, and lengthy, out-of-budget revisions. LEGO Real Time Web (LRTW) is based on the experience of LEGO Serious Play, a method that employs the creative power of LEGO bricks to generate a relaxed environment where trained consultants can guide participants through team-building activities and SWOT analyses to the definition of simple guiding principles for advancing their projects. LRTW's main advantage is its playful, hands-on approach, which generates a relaxed environment and gently pushes people to think "outside the box" and to speak their minds effectively. LRTW generates a shared understanding of the requirement specification and design prototypes, laying the groundwork for a more consistent development with fewer arguments within the team and a better integration of the web application into the organization's business. The talk will present LRTW, its foundations and structure, both through theory and case studies.

Biography

Luca Botturi holds a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Instructional Design from the University of Lugano, Switzerland. He has worked as a new media researcher and practitioner in Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, and the USA. Dr Botturi is currently an instructional designer at the eLearning Lab, researcher for the NewMinE Lab at the same institution, and an online instructor at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain. Luca's research interests focus on creativity in games, design languages, and instructional and hypermedia design. He is active as a trainer, consultant, and game designer, and has founded Seed, a nonprofit organization promoting the development of a culture of educational technologies for international development and nonprofit education.