Current issues in assessing and improving documentation usability

Abstract

DESCRIPTIONOF THE SIG User documentation, whether in print or " built usability, standards, in " to the online user interface, is noti a vital element of successful computer products. Managers and developers recognize that the common model of documentation as remediation for deficient design must not persist, but they often don' t know how to build documentation usability into an ongoing product-development effort. Therefore, this meeting—now in its seventh annual session—is a forum on human factors in computer documentation. and the increasing integration of documentation with the user interface, this SIG provides CHI '95 attendees a specific opportunity to discuss recent developments in documentation usability. Topics include:. q 9. Addressing documentation usability early in the product design process Qualitative and quantitative methods for collecting documentation usability data Roles and relationships among documentation o specialists, user-interface designers, and software developers Cost-justifying documentation usability programs The structure of the SIG is informal discussion, moderated by the session leaders. If attendees have additional issues or concerns related to documentation usability, we welcome them. The first five minutes of the session will be used to create and prioritize a list of specific topics for discussion. We will audiotape the session and make either copies of the tape or meeting notes (ciepending on volunteers) available to the SIG participants after the conference.