Computer response time and user performance.

ABSTRACT

Nearly everyone agrees that computer response time is very important to the users of interactive systems. Many papers have been written describing the bad effects of computer response times that are too long or too short, and many sets of “guidelines” for appropriate human-engineered computer response times in human-machine systems have been published, as well. Nearly all these sets of guidelines are direct descendants of the set published by Robert Miller (1968) about 15 years ago. When Miller wrote his guidelines, he was quite open in describing them as based only on his experience, and he called for experimental data that would allow for the formulation of better, empirically-based rules for setting computer response time for optimal human performance. About fifteen years later, these studies are still missing, for the most part. Aside for the problem-solving studies of Grossberg, et al. (1976), Goodman and Spence (1981), Bergrnan, et al. (1981), and others, the literature is sadly lacking in empirical data to support the simplest assertions about how computer response time affects computer users. Though there is only the sparsest data to support them, several assertions about computer response time and user performance have become accepted as common knowledge.

REFERENCES

• 1: Bergman, H., Brinkman, A., and Koelega, H. S. (1981) System response time and problem solving behavior. Proc.Hum.Fac.Soc.25th Annual Meeting, pp. 749-753.
• 2: Boies, S. J. (1974) User behavior on an interactive computer system. IBM Sys. J., 13: 2-18.
• 3: Butler, K. A., Felfoldy, G. L., Simms, S. E., and Swenson, J. S. (1980) personal communication.
• 4: Goodman, T. J. and Spence, R. (1981) The effect of computer system response time variability on interactive graphical problem solving. IEEE Trans Sys, Man, and Cybernet., SMC-11: 207-216.
• 5: Grossberg, M., Wiesen, R. A., and Yntema, D. B. (1976) An experiment on problem solving with delayed computer responses. IEEE Trans Man and Cybernet., March: 219-222.
• 6: Hirata, K. and Bryden, M. P. (1971) Tables of letter sequences varying in order of approximation to English. Psychon. Sci., 25: 322-324.
• 7: Miller, R. (1968) Response time in man-computer conversational transactions. AFIPS Conf Proc, 33: 267-277.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.4 PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS

  D. Software
  D.4 OPERATING SYSTEMS
      D.4.7 Organization and Design
          Subjects: Interactive systems

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Performance