satisfaction

Satisfaction is one of the three core components (effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction) in ISO 9241, which are widely regarded as key criteria for effective user interface design. Satisfaction refers to the level of acceptance by the actual users of a sytem including their emotional reactions to it such as pleasure and also aspects such as perceived stress.

In the early years, satisfaction was often largely ignored compared with the more productivity-oriented criteria of effectiveness and efficiency. Of course, even taking a strictily commercial perspective, workers who are more satisfied will be more productive. Now the balance has shifted; indeed the term 'user experience' effectively implies that satisfaction is the primary criterion.