4.10 USABILITY ENGINEERING COSTS FOR APPLICATION 2
Usability work for the internal product called Application 2 (Karat, 1990)
included a benchmark test (field test), development of a high-technology
prototype, three iterations of usability prototype testing (all laboratory), and
redesign. The work was completed across 21 months. Usability costs were as
follows:
✦ Usability resource = $23,300
✦ Participant travel = $9,750
✦ Test-related development work = $34,950
✦ Total cost for 2 years = $68,000
✦ Cost-benefit ratio of usability work:
✦ Projected first-year benefits in increased productivity = $6,800,000
✦ Costs of usability activities = $68,000
✦ Cost-benefit ...