As the complexity of human-computer interfaces increases, those who use these interfaces as well as those reponsible for their design have recognized an urgent need for substantive research in the human factors of software development [2], [5]. Because of the magnitude of the task of producing software for individual human-computer interfaces, appropriate tools are needed for defining and improving such interfaces, both in research and production environments. This paper describes the research being carried out to construct DMS (Dialogue Management System), which is a complete system for defining, modifying, executing, and metering human-computer dialogues.
The underlying goal of SUPERvisory Methodology and Notation (SUPERMAN) is to enhance productive operation of human-computer system developers by providing easy-to-use concepts and automated tools for developing high-quality (e.g., human-engineered, cost-effective, easy-to-maintain) target systems. The supervisory concept of the methodology integrates functions of many modeling techniques, and allows complete representation of the designer's conceptualization of a system's operation. The methodology views humans as functional elements of a system in addition to computer elements. Parts of software which implement human-computer interaction are separated from the rest of software. A single, unified system representation is used throughout a system lifecycle. The concepts of the methodology are notationally built into a graphical programming language. The use of this language in developing a system leads to a natural and orderly application of the methodology.
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