Build it and they will come!

I've watched the wonderful movie Field of Dreams several times, and admire it's positive messages and redemptive spirit.

I can relate to the "Build it and they will come..." line repeated throughout the movie, not because I play baseball, but rather that it reminds me of a point of view I'd help close earlier in my career:

"If I develop this cool system for [insert audience here], they'll all be amazed and use it regularly."

More that once I missed the mark and found that participation was lower than I'd hoped.

My associate Ben Leonard is doing some work for an advanced degree, and recently tuned me into a model that helps explain system usage factors. It's common sense stuff, but well ground in applied research and resonates well with me.

The "Technology Acceptance Model" follows:
















The basic message is the pay attention to the factors which influence the intent to use. Then, make sure you have system stability in place, so that when they do use the technology... it predicatably works as advertised.

Voila, you've now got a system people will engage with.

What's your experience with usability and build system that have high engagement? What lessons have you learned that you can share?

Cheers,

- KeelFish