Usability Heuristics and Explicit Analysis of UI Design for Optimum User Experience: The Case of Pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) Information System and Marketplace

The intricateness and dynamism of any software development project are viewed as prevailing attributes that affect its outcome. However, explicit utilization of recognized software development principles and standards ensures a higher possibility of achieving greater success. This paper presents the results of the efforts in the design and development of Comprehensive Pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) Information System and Marketplace particularly the user experiences. This project was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with the intention of establishing a dynamic web of knowledge for the Pili industry, thus addressing the dearth of accessible Pili information. The development process follows strict adherence to PiliIS and Marketplace Software Development Paradigm - researchers made software development procedures adopting the Agile software development concepts. This paradigm ensures explicit compliance to ISO/IEC 25010 standards. An internal evaluation team was employed to examine the user interface judging its compliance with the recognized usability principles. A diverse group of stakeholders evaluated the system following Jakob Nielsen’s principles for interaction design. Complying to these highly recognized software quality standards and adhering to the researchers’ paradigm, the developed software was marked by stakeholders as “highly usable”, “highly acceptable” and “highly reliable” with average ratings of 94.65%, 93.71%, and 93.53%, respectively. Additionally, Philippine Pili Industry League, Inc. (PhilPili) rated the system as “excellent”. Given the limited study on the development and evaluation of information systems designed to support the marginalized sectors in the country, this study provides significant insights on the software quality principles and competencies as universal standards that boost favorable customer satisfaction and optimum user experience.