System Evaluation

Ubiquitous applications are complex systems, and need to be evaluated with respect to their social compatibility in an encompassing and interdisciplinary approach. Interdisciplinary work bears the challenge of maintaining the strengths and specialities of each discipline while yielding consistent results at the same time. Also, the evaluation should be well-matched with other activities in the process of development. The presented system evaluation is designed to fulfill these goals as part of the VENUS Development Method . The system evaluation brings a development circle to a conclusion, and generates consistent results that facilitate decisions for next steps. The evaluation also yields suggestions for possible, further improvements. System evaluation unites four disciplines: usability engineering , trust engineering , legal compatible technology design , and security analysis . This chapter describes the starting points of each discipline, and derives an interdisciplinary approach which encompasses a concerted operating plan as well as contentual interdisciplinary cooperation. The system evaluation provides joint solutions for empirical work, but also leaves room for disciplinary analyses.