Dialog Design Principles

1
Dialog Design Principles

• Fundamentals of Good Dialog

2
Fundamental Principles

• Plan Content
• Match User Needs
• Plan and Test
• Determine Formats

3
ROMC

• Representations
• Operations
• Memory Aids
• Controls

4
Plan Content

• Criteria
• Basic output requirements
• Process
• User interface needs
• Content
• Data and processing requirements
• before
• Format

5
Match User Needs

• Natural Action Sequences
• Minimize Stress From
• Lack of control
• Unexpected Events
• Novelty
• Poor Responses (e.g. codes)
• Focus on HELP when
• Getting Started
• Getting Stuck
• Recovering

6
Planning and Testing

• Sketch dialog before coding
• Test
• Representative users
• All hardware
• Saturation and degradation
• Logs (errors, system failures, recovery)
• Security
• Acceptance measures

7
Format

• Input
• Match user expectations
• Assure consistent keystrokes
• Plan defaults
• Request input in user terms

8
Format

• Output
• Meet system objectives
• Perform business tactic
• Human likes
• Short lines
• Highlights
• Accurate labels, units and titles
• Minimize clutter
• Beware of codes
• Provoke action (so what?)