What is Usa-DSL Process? 

Usa-DSL Process is a Usability Evaluation Process for Specific Domain Language that, over time, is expected to cover a broad set of needs of DSL developers with regard to evaluation of DSLs.

Usa-DSL Process searches through its concepts to assist in the evaluation of the quality of the DSLs that will be delivered and used by end-users.

Usa-DSL Process is characterized by four mutually supporting Fundamental Principles:

• Assist in the construction of the usability evaluation in a practical and efficient way.

• Assist in the DSL development through continuous feedback, promoting to continuous improvement of the language.

• Focus on the user-centered evaluation through all the construction phases, minimizing the DSL's rework and disuse.

• Make DSLs evaluation easier and productive, aiming to reach usability criteria and usage satisfaction

The Main Purpose of the Usa-DSL Process is to guide the questions

 "Who will do what, when and how?" [Pressman:2010].

Always iteratively [Stone:2005] and guided to the development of formal usability evaluations with ease and speed.

The Main Objective is to provide the procedures to perform the evaluation regarding the usability of Dsls, verifying through methods, techniques and activities how these languages meet the quality of use issues.

The Usa-DSL Process deals with the elaboration of usability evaluations involving the methods Heuristic Evaluation and Usability Testing [Nielsen:93], with the intention of systematizing and developing the evaluations in a productive way and with less cost.

The Usa-DSL Process has a structure composed of method content (Method Content) and process (Process) [SPEM: 2018].

-  Method Content is a knowledge base, in which the information that will be consumed by the process is stored .The information stored in Method Content is organized into Work Products, Tasks, Profiles, Profile Set and Steps.

- Process deals with the organization of the elements of the Method Content, relating this elements in sequence partially ordered and customized for each specific project. Process has basic structural elements such as: Phases, Activities, Profiles Use, Task Use, Use Work Products Use.

Usa-DSL contains a category of grouping elements that is intended for Guidelines, that is, templates for documents that will be consumed, generated or modified throughout the life cycle. These templates will be used by both the method content and the process, they are described in a unique way.

The Usa-DSL Process has several artifacts of this type that can be used during the execution of a task and/or the process generated, are:

- Informed Consent Term,

- Profile Questionnaire,

- Usability Questionnaire,

- Heuristic Checklist,

- Glossary,

- Documentation,

- DSL Guide,

- Use Scenario,

- Training Documentation DSL,

- Study Protocol among others.

Who should use Usa-DSL Process?

Profile - is an element of Method Content that defines the roles played within the process.Profiles are used to define who executes each Task, as well as to define those responsible for a set of Work Products that make up the Usa-DSL Process.

The Usa-DSL Process defines eight (8) Profiles, which were grouped into three (3) Profiles Set, in which they were grouped by type of execution, are:

- Process Executors: this set of Profiles brings together Usa-DSL Process users, that is, who plans and conducts the reviews.These profiles are part of the group that designs, develops and has interest in evaluating DSL, are: DSL Analyst, DSL Developer and DSL Tester;

- Usability Evaluation Subjects: this set of Profiles brings together the Domain Analyst, Domain Developer, Domain Tester and End User, that is, the people who will be invited to participate in the evaluation.Those who will contribute to the DSL developers, pointing out the improvements or corrections that must be made to achieve a more enjoyable user experience;

- Heurístic Evaluation Subjects: This Profile is composed only of HCI Expert, the heuristic evaluation expert.These participants aim to evaluate the DSL and contribute to the group of developers from the errors and degree of severity pointed out during the evaluation, seeking to improve usability and user experience before presenting the DSL to users.

How do I get started?

Start by understanding the core principles of the Usa-DSL Process, then understand how the process works and what your goals are.

After understanding these concepts understand the role of each profile in the execution of the process.

Understood these concepts you need to appropriate the concepts related to each Usability Evaluation that the Process makes available, and from this information select the type of usability evaluation that best meets the need for evaluation of your DSL.