The context of use, within the field of user experience (UX), refers to the specific conditions in which a product, whether tangible or intangible, will be used. Understanding this context means paying attention to the factors that influence both its use and the level of satisfaction of specific users. This aligns with the approach described in ISO 9241-210.

These factors or variables may come from the physical environment, such as space, time, temperature, noise, or motion, but also from technical considerations such as connectivity, performance, or system configuration. Added to this are aspects related to work organization, processes, and the larger system in which the product is embedded.

What the context of use really means

Talking about context of use means going beyond the object or interface and analyzing the real circumstances in which interaction takes place. Some key points to keep in mind include:

  • The quality of use of a product depends on a proper understanding and planning of user characteristics, the tasks they perform, and the physical and organizational environment in which the system will be used.
  • Product usability is always linked to a specific context of use, largely conditioned by environmental, technical, and organizational variables that can change over time.
  • Context-of-use analysis involves considering aspects that may seem irrelevant at first glance but are decisive. Measuring usability means, in practice, evaluating the quality of design within an appropriate context of use.
  • Understanding the context of use is, in essence, understanding the real circumstances in which a product will be used.
  • It is incorrect to evaluate or determine a product’s usability without having previously described its context of use.

Further reading

There is abundant information available about the context of use, but if you are looking for a rigorous and complete approach, these two references are especially recommended: