Phases of use: a means to identify factors that influence product utilization

Abstract

In usability research and design much emphasis is placed on creating products that are easy to learn and efficient to use. This does not guarantee however that the product is actually being used in an optimal way. This article describes utilization of a new product as a process with different phases. A product will only be optimally used if all these phases are successfully gone through. Based on the experience of the authors in product development, a model is created that helps product development, sales, marketing and support to develop a product that is not only easy to use, but also creates awareness, motivates people to use it and helps people to imbed the product in their daily lives.