What is "usability"

Specifically in Human-Computer Interaction (IHC), the usability refers to pragmatic attributes (such as effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction, among others) that aim to facilitate users of computational systems to achieve the specified goals in the best possible way. However, it also covers criteria such as ease of use and learning ability that serve any product or service with which a human being interacts.

Unlike ux (User Experience) - where objectives are less pragmatic and involve, for example, aesthetic satisfaction - the goals of usability are to ensure that interaction with a software product is¹:

• Effective (that the user can achieve his goals through the product)
• Efficient (and able to do it in the fastest and easiest way)
• Safe (that the interaction naturally prevents the user from making mistakes)
• Easy to learn and remember (and also naturally prevent the user from getting confused or lost)
• Useful (providing the user with necessary and satisfactory services)