Interactive Session

Session chairs
Christine Truc-Modica and Elisa del Galdo

Content
Overseas markets can be very attractive for businesses, but in order for manufacturers of products or providers of services to compete or even enter a new geographic market they not only have to provide a sound business strategy they are also required to cater to the cultural requirements of the target customer. Competition for the capture of new markets is tough and companies are now more aware of the value of meeting and exceeding the requirements of the customer. International user testing is becoming a key task for developers of systems, products and websites in determining the user or customer requirements and ensuring that their product addresses them. In order to successfully administer requirements gathering or user evaluations internationally, the administrators require specific skill set, a clear understanding of cultural differences and very good organisational skills.
This workshop will discuss the challenges inherent in international evaluations, including the planning, management and administration of evaluations, development of test documentation, the application of different methodologies and the efficient reduction of data. The workshop will focus on practical solutions, skills and tips based on the presentors’ experience in the field and the design and management of international studies

Biographies
Elisa M. del Galdo is the director of del Galdo Consulting Ltd., which specialises in the design and evaluation of user interfaces for international products and systems. Her clients include, Atos Origin, Schlumberger, and Coditex. Her experience includes the design and evaluation of international software and hardware for Digital Equipment Corporation, research and design of speech recognition and language understanding user interfaces for Canon Research Centre Europe, and the management of a Western European User Experience Group for Cambridge Technology Partners. Ms del Galdo has also published many research papers and journal articles on a variety of HCI related subjects and has contributed to and edited books on the Internationalisation of products and systems. Ms del Galdo is the co-founder and past Presentation of Products and Systems International Inc.

Christine Truc Modica is a consultant in global user research and design planning. Before becoming an independent consultant, CTM was the head of the Global Design Planning group at the Europe Design center of Motorola PCS (Personal Communication Sector) based in Milan. Her role was to monitor mobile communication trends, plan and manage strategic and applied user researches and participate in the global product portfolio design planning. Prior Motorola, Christine's experience includes managing and directing a multi-disciplinary group of user researchers and usability engineers at Sapient (Internet strategy and technology consulting company) and Eastman Kodak company (digital camera and software products) in Boston, MA ; and at Accenture and SITA/Equant in Sophia Antipolis, France. Christine has 16 years of experience with extensive international experience in successfully managing strategic research and design projects to maximize results. She is visiting professor at the Interaction Design Institute of Ivrea, Italy.