Malin Wik presented tool longevity factors at OzCHI 2015 in Melbourne

At the Australian HCI conference this year, we had a shortpaper on important factors that influence the sustainability of Wizard-of-Oz tools.

The Wizard-of-Oz method has been utilized to conduct prototyping without programming for several decades. However, a literature review by John Sören Pettersson and Malin Wik (doi: 10.1145/2838739.2838825) reveals that tools supporting the method seem to be decommissioned after just a couple of years. The authors aimed to investigate why these systems have such a short life span while Karlstad University’s own Wizard-of-Oz tool, known as the Ozlab, is still in use after 15 years in service. Three factors were found that differentiate Ozlab from the others:

Instead of solving a specific problem, the system was built up with a more general goal in mind: To create an environment that could be used to improve and improvise graphic and interactive design.

Its inclusion in HCI education increases the relevance of both maintenance and the ongoing redevelopment.

The flexibility of the wizard’s user interface allows it to be adapted to the needs of the wizard as well as the experimental situation.

The study was presented at the OzCHI 2015 which was held on 7-10 December 2015 in Melbourne.