The impact of standards on the system development process

Technology is now recognised as a key enabler to the future business success of both large and small organisations. However business benefits can only be realised if management, staff and customers are able to use this technology in an effective, efficient and satisfying way. Indeed new technology is often found to be challenging the human capabilities of those who use it. It is, therefore, not simply a question of developing systems containing more screens of information and more system features. The business challenge is to ensure that all IT suppliers, internal or external, deliver systems and technology to meet business needs and also the growing organisation, political and consumer pressure for usability. The paper considers the extent to which standards, in particular HCI standards, support and guide the development of more effective and usable IT systems in the financial services world. It argues that whilst standards are useful they are still sparse and suggests where usability engineering activities should introduced into the system development process to assist the delivery of business benefits