Context Sensitive Interactive Systems Design: A Framework for Representation of contexts

The performance of interactive systems is determined in relation to the context in which the system and users interact for task execution. It is obvious that the significance and complexity of contextual information require systemic approaches for managing it in the design process. As the system complexity and diversity of types and ranges of use context increase, context sensitivity becomes a critical mechanism to enhance system performance and interactive qualities. This research attempts to introduce a representation framework for contextual information critical for developing a methodological foundation for user-centered design practice. First, this paper explains what compose contexts, how contexts are structured, and how they can be described. Then, strategies and methods to incorporate context sensitivity are discussed from the perspective of system development in relation to types of system architecture that can effectively implement context-sensitivity in design are discussed.