Usability on the Edge: The Implementation of u:cris at the University of Vienna

Abstract

In 2011, the top management of the University of Vienna made a fundamental (and possibly trend-setting) decision to replace the old research information system with a contemporary vendor system. This paper highlights the reasons behind the decision and illustrates the implementation process, which is not only a challenge from a technical point of view. It is an even more challenging political task to involve all the stakeholders and especially those who have to live with the burden of recording research output - researchers and staff alike. Our experience shows that a legal reporting obligation, such as that dictated by the Universities Act 2002, serves as an incentive for users to populate a CRIS with up-to-date information only to a certain extent. Rather, a user- and researcher-centred approach is crucial for a CRIS to gain user acceptance.