User-friendly

Why is user-centered development critical to successful systems development projects?
User-centered development is critical to projects because users are ultimately the ones who will decide if the system developed is successful. The usability of a system depends on if it is easy, efficient, and accurate. If a system isn't intuitive and easy-to-use, a user will get frustrated and lose interest in the system. No business wants to spend thousands or even millions of dollars on a project and have it fail because it is rejected by the user for its complexity. Whenever a project is being developed, it is critical to have user involvement throughout the process.

Efficiency and accuracy are also important components. Not only are these factors extremely important for business functions, but users also want systems to do tasks in a shorter amount of time and get the right information the first time. Approaching systems development centered on user requirements will give developers important knowledge of how users will use the system and what information they need to relay.

No matter how flashy or how 'cutting edge' a system has been created, it will not be successful is users don't accept it. In order to give users what they want, user-centered development is the method for creating user-friendly systems.