Tom Stewart and David Travis
System Concepts Ltd./I>
Introduction
What Do We Mean by Guidelines, Standards, and Style Guides?
Why Do Guidelines, Standards, and Style Guides Exist?
Consistency
Good Practice
Common Understanding
Appropriate Prioritization of User Interface Issues
History
Deusches Institut fur Normung
The International Organization for Standardization
Guidelines
Background
Smith and Mosier ’s Guidelines for Designing User Interface Software
Shneiderman’s User Interface Guidelines
Nielsen’s Usability Heuristics
Standards
Sources of HCI Standards
Types of HCI Standards
Process-Oriented Standards
Product-Oriented Standards
How to Use ISO 9241 Standards
Strengths and Limitations of HCI Standards
Standards Are Developed Over an Extended Period of Time
Standards Are Developed Over an Extended Period of Time
It Is Easy to Misunderstand the Scope and Purpose of a Particular Standard
Standards Making Involves Politics As Well As Science
The Language of Standards Can Be Obscure
Structure and Formality Can Be a Help As Well As a Hindrance
The Benefits Do Not Just Come From the Standards Themselves
Being International Makes It All Worthwhile
Style Guides
Creating a Style Guide
Choosing the Right Guidelines
Tailoring the Guidelines Into Specific Design Rules for Your Application
Implementing the Style Guide
Policing and Maintaining the Style Guide
A Case Study on the Development of a Style Guide
Conclusion
References