For many years, the poor design of interactive systems has been attributed to insufficient communication between developers and end users. Usability practices from the field of human-computer interaction are not currently integrated into the theory and practice of software engineering. This research project pursues three objectives: 1) developing a model of software development as a process of on-going communication; 2) providing support for this model through active mechanisms in software tools; and 3) improving the accessibility and acceptance of usability methods by software practitioners. In general, the objectives reflect a process and philosophy of human-centered software development. Active support is being investigated through a mechanism called expectation agents. Expectation agents are software mechanisms that monitor the usage of prototype systems and detect mismatches between actual usage and developers' design assumptions or expectations. Such breakdowns are opportunities for communication which make explicit the expectations of both developers and end users. Expectation agents serve as a test vehicle for supporting on-going communication in software development, for adapting usability practices to software practice, and for reinforcing developers' understanding of human-computer interaction. This research proceeds along three dimensions: theoretical, technical, and empirical. The research is developing a model of ongoing communication in software development, refining models of the software processes involved in developing interactive systems, and improving understanding of usability methods for workplace settings. In the technical dimension, the research provides new algorithms and representations for capturing and communicating design intent and active mechanisms such as expectation agents to operate over design intent. These mechanisms involve both formal and semi-formal representations. The empirical component includes a critical analysi s of the approach as a means of gathering usability information and supporting communication in systems development. This CAREER research project also addresses the software engineering curriculum. First, the work seeks to improve the curricula for educating software engineers in the methods of human-computer interaction. Second, adoption of systematic practice is aided by tools and methods. The research project seeks to meet this need by adapting and, where possible, automating usability methods for software engineering. ***
