An Empathetic Approach to Human-Centric Requirements Engineering Using Virtual Reality

People who use software applications are different, including with significant cognitive differences such as neurodiversity. Capturing requirements for software that addresses these cognitive differences is hard for software engineers, especially when they do not have the same cognitive challenges. We wanted to explore the use of virtual reality (VR) in assisting software engineers to better understand the perspectives of the end user for the purpose of human-centric requirements elicitation, with a focus on users with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We developed an immersive VR prototype using a virtual gym environment and fitness app as a concrete motivating example scenario. We carried out an evaluation of requirements identification for ADHD fitness app users by instructing participants to complete activities whilst under visual and auditory distractions similar to various documented symptoms of ADHD. Results indicated an increase in understanding the perspectives of someone with ADHD and an awareness of potential challenges with software not intentionally designed for ADHD users. Improved requirements for our target fitness app resulted that better take into account these diverse user needs.