User-Centered Information Design For Improved Software Usability / Edition 1

by Pradeep Henry

Overview

When writing computer user documentation, focusing on the needs of your audience is critical. This book provides you with a surefire approach to generating clear, effective documentation that's tailored to the information requirements of the end-user.

Written for technical writers and their managers, quality assurance experts, and software engineers, the book describes a user centered information design method (UCID) that helps you ensure your computer documentation conveys significant, meaningful information for the user — and avoids unnecessary repetition or inconsistencies. Specifically, the UCID approach shows you how to...

• Integrate the four major information components of a software system from the user's viewpoint: user interface labels, system messages, online documentation, and printed documentation

• Make sure these individual elements are working together to improve software usability

• Make better decisions on which information to provide and in which media, based on user needs and project-specific requirements

• Deploy iterative design and prototyping procedures that minimize design flaws and save you valuable time and money

• Get more out of each of your technical writer's individual skills, and guide them in effectively designing interface labels and system messages

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780890069462
Publisher:	Artech House, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/31/1998
Series:	Artech House Computer Science Library
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Pradeep Henry has more than 10 years professional experience in technical communication and usability engineering. He has written and edited for IBM's programming labs worldwide, and has designed and taught corporate courses in technical communication and user interface design. He received a B.S. in Physics and an M.A. in English, both from the University of Madras.

Table of Contents

Contents: Information — Its Role in Software Usability. What is User-Centered Information Design (UCID). The UCID Process. Managing UCID. Analyzing Users and Tasks. Goal-Setting for Software Usability and Information Quality. Designing the Information Architecture. Designing the Specifications and Prototypes. Designing Interface Labels. Designing System Messages. Designing Online Information Elements. Designing Printed Information Elements. Achieving Critical Design Goals. Evaluating Information — Two-Level Approach.

Editorial Reviews

This book approaches technical writing from its role in the larger software usability context. It discusses designing the four information components of software usability: labels, messages, online support elements such as Help, and printed support elements such as a user's guide. The focus is on User-Centered Information Design (UCID), and several chapters discuss key features of the UCID process and managing UCID. Also addresses achieving information design goals and a two-level approach to evaluating information. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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