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Subject:QA and Usability Testing From:"Burke, Diane" <Diane -dot- Burke -at- COGNOS -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 13 Jan 1998 09:52:42 -0500
The input of technical writers, who are often the first users of a
software product, can be invaluable in usability testing.
When documenting a process or feature for the first time, a writer asks
questions like, "What information does the user need to have to do
this?" and "What will the user expect the result to be?", etc. It
quickly becomes apparent whether the procedure is straightforward or
not. If the written procedure is convoluted and difficult to follow, it
may not be the writing that is at fault, but the process or procedure
being documented. This presents a very good argument for including
documentation at the beginning of the design process rather than at the
end.
Diane Burke
DataMerchant Publications
Cognos Inc.
(613) 738-1338, ext. 3531
E-mail: diane -dot- burke -at- cognos -dot- com
