5.7.1
General User Input Guidelines
5.7.1.1
Consistent Procedures
Procedures for entering commands or information should be consistent
in form.
5.7.1.2
Standard Procedures
Standard procedures should be used for updating and deleting
information.
5.7.1.3
Consistent Wording
of Commands
All terms employed in the user-system interface, and their abbreviations,
should be consistent in meaning from one transaction to another, and
from one task to another.
5.7.1.4
Unnecessary Entry of
Information
A user should not be required to re-enter information already
entered to the system.
5.7.1.5
Only Available Options
Offered
Only control options that are actually available for the current
transaction should be offered to users.
5.7.2.1
Logical Ordering of
Menu Options
Menu options should be ordered and grouped logically.
5.7.2.2
Consistent Design of
Hierarchic Menus
The display format and selection logic of hierarchic menus should
be consistent at every level.
5.7.2.3
Consistent Display
of Menu Options
When menus are provided in different displays, they should be
designed so that option lists are consistent in wording and ordering.
5.7.2.4
Minimal Steps in Sequential
Menu Selection
When users must step through a sequence of menus to make a selection,
the hierarchic menu structure should be designed to minimize the number
of steps required.
5.7.2.5
Return to Higher-Level
Menus
Users should have to take only one simple key action to return
to the next higher level in hierarchic menus.
5.7.2.6
Return to General Menu
Users should have to take only one simple key action to return
to the general menu at the top level in hierarchic menus.
5.7.2.7
Explanatory Title for
Menu
An explanatory title should be provided for each menu that reflects
the nature of the choice to be made, so that the function of the menu
is evident to the user.
5.7.2.8
ON/OFF Menu Items
For menu items that can be in an "On" or "Off" state, the "On"
state should be indicated by making the item perceptually distinct.
5.7.2.9
Form Filling for Command
Entry
Form filling should be provided as an aid for composing complex
command entries.
5.7.3
System Operational Information
5.7.3.1
Indicating System Status
The system status should be indicated to users at all times.
5.7.3.2
Operational Mode
The currently selected mode should clearly be indicated, when
the results of user action are contingent upon different operational
modes.
5.7.3.3
Status and Type of
External Sensors
The type and status of external sensors should be permanently
indicated.
5.7.3.4
Presentation of Planned
and Actual Data
When a device is used for planning it must be clear to the user
that this mode is selected so that there is no confusion between the
presentation of planned and actual data.
5.7.3.5
Source of Position
Information
The information of position should be displayed with an indication
of its source.
5.7.3.6
Simulated Operations
Simulated operations should be clearly distinguished from real
operations.
5.7.4.1
Standard Display Location
System messages should appear in standard locations.
5.7.4.2
Familiar Wording
System messages should use familiar terminology.
5.7.4.3
Periodic Feedback
When system functioning requires the user to stand-by, periodic
feedback should be provided to indicate normal system operation.
5.7.4.4
Distinctive and Consistent
Warnings
Warnings should be distinctive and consistent.
5.7.4.5
Informative Error Messages
When the information systems detects an error, an error message
should be displayed stating the error and possible subsequent operations.
5.7.4.6
Task-Oriented Error
Messages
Error messages should be appropriate to the task.
5.7.4.7
On-Line Guidance
Users should be able to request on-line guidance information
regarding system capabilities, procedures, commands and abbreviations,
etc..
5.7.5
Prevention/Detection/Correction
of Errors
5.7.5.1
Protection from Data
Loss by Interruption
When a proposed user action will interrupt a current transaction
sequence, automatic means to prevent data loss should be provided.
5.7.5.2
Segregating Real from
Simulated Data
When simulated data and system functions are displayed or provided,
real data should be protected.