© ISO 2017 Ergonomics of human system interaction — Part 112 Principles for the presentation of information Ergonomie de l’interaction homme système — Partie 1 12 Principes et lignes directrices relat[.]
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9241-112 First edition 2017-03 Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 112: Principles for the presentation of information Ergonomie de l’interaction homme-système — Partie 112: Principes et lignes directrices relatives la présentation de l’information Reference number ISO 9241-112:2017(E) © ISO 2017 ISO 9241-112:2017(E) COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT © ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland All rights reserved Unless otherwise specified, no part o f this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country o f the requester ISO copyright o ffice Ch de Blandonnet • CP 401 CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland Tel +41 22 749 01 11 Fax +41 22 749 09 47 copyright@iso.org www.iso.org ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) Contents Page Foreword iv Introduction v Scope Normative references Terms and definitions Introduction to the presentation of information Introduction to principles 6 Principles and recommendations 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Sources of guidance on presentation of information within the ISO 9241-100 series and their relationship Modalities and media Accessibility Action guidance Information presentation and aesthetics 5.1 5.2 5.3 Overview Relationship to other sets of principles in the ISO 9241-100 series Relationship between individual principles 6.1 Detectability 6.1.1 Principle o f detectability Guidance related to using prominence Guidance related to timely presentation o f information Guidance related to making controls detectable by the user Guidance related to using continuity to aid detectability 10 Freedom from distraction 10 6.2.1 Principle of freedom from distraction 10 6.2.2 Guidance on minimizing and avoiding distractions 10 Discriminability 11 6.3.1 Principle o f discriminability 11 6.3.2 Guidance related to the structuring of presented information 11 6.3.3 Guidance related to using presentation attributes 12 6.3.4 Guidance related to grouping using proximity 12 6.3.5 Guidance related to using similarity 13 Interpretability 13 6.4.1 Principle o f interpretability 13 6.4.2 Guidance related to ensuring comprehensibility 14 6.4.3 Guidance related to ensuring unambiguous meaning 14 6.4.4 Guidance related to using closure appropriately 15 6.4.5 Guidance related to textual coherence 15 6.4.6 Guidance related to selection and use o f media/modality 16 6.4.7 Guidance related to user capabilities 16 Conciseness 17 6.5.1 Principle of conciseness 17 6.5.2 Guidance related to conciseness of content 17 6.5.3 Guidance related to conciseness of actions 17 Consistency (internal and external) 18 6.6.1 Principle o f consistency 18 6.6.2 Guidance related to consistency across pieces o f information 18 6.6.3 Guidance related to logical consistency 19 6.6.4 Guidance related to consistency with conventions known to the user 19 6.1.2 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.1.3 6.1.4 6.1.5 Bibliography 20 © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved iii ISO 9241-112:2017(E) Foreword ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies) The work o f preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters o f electrotechnical standardization The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part In particular the different approval criteria needed for the di fferent types o f ISO documents should be noted This document was dra fted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part (see www.iso org/directives) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some o f the elements o f this document may be the subject o f patent rights ISO shall not be held responsible for identi fying any or all such patent rights Details o f any patent rights identified during the development o f the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso org/patents) Any trade name used in this document is in formation given for the convenience o f users and does not constitute an endorsement For an explanation on the voluntary nature o f standards, the meaning o f ISO specific terms and expressions related to formity assessment, as well as in formation about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: www.iso org/iso/foreword html This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 4, Ergonomics of human–system interaction This first edition o f ISO 9241-112, together with ISO 9241-125, cancels and replaces ISO 9241-12:1998 A list of all parts in the ISO 9241 series can be found on the ISO website iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) Introduction T h i s c u ment pre s ents pri nc iple s for the pre s entation o f i n formation that apply to the de s ign a nd evaluation of user interfaces The application and use of the principles and general recommendations in this document results in a varie ty o f b enefits to u s ers o f i nterac tive u s er i nter face s , i nclud i ng i mprovements i n s p e e d, acc urac y, menta l e ffor t, a nd u s er e xp erience T hey a l s o help prevent u s ers from e xp erienc i ng u s abi l ity problem s with presented information Examples of such problems include the following: — Users not detect information, although the information is present from i n formation they a re fo c u s i ng on b y o ther i n formation — Us ers are d i s trac te d — Us ers c an no t d i s c ri m i nate b e twe en pie ce s o f i n formation, s i nce they app e ar to b e identic a l — Users misinterpret information since the meaning of the information is ambiguous Us ers e xp end u n ne ce s s ar y ti me i n unders ta nd i ng i n formation s i nce the i n formation i s pre s ente d i s — u n ne ce s s ari ly leng thy — Users not understand information due to unknown conventions used in the information T he pri nciple s a nd genera l re com mendation s wi l l help to avoid m i s i nterpre tation s by provid i ng guidance on the appropriate and effective presentation of information The guidance in this document e s no t de a l with the identi fication o f the s p e c i fic i n formation to b e pre s ente d T h i s c ument contai n s genera l re com mendation s that apply ac ro s s mo d a l itie s I S O 41-1 provide s detailed recommendations relating to the design and evaluation of visual user interfaces This document can be used with ISO 9241-110 to provide principles covering interaction with user interfaces, including the presentation of information These principles replace the “characteristics of presented information” listed in ISO 9241-12:1998, 4.1 T he cha rac teri s tic “legibi l ity” in th i s c u ment s i nce it i s formerly conta i ne d i n I S O 41-1 i s no t b ei ng de a lt with s p e c i fic a l ly s p e c i fic to vi s ua l i n formation, but it i s covere d “D i s c ri m i nabi l ity” a nd “I nter pre tabi l ity” “C la rity” and “C omprehen s ibi l ity” a l s o I S O 41-1 are now b ei ng de a lt with as p ar t o f “Fre e dom from in genera l formerly as p ar t o f conta i ne d i n d i s trac tion” a nd “I nterpre tabi l ity” This document focuses on software aspects of the presentation of information and does not include modalities gu idance on the h ardwa re - control le d phys ic a l charac teri s tics o f i n formation pre s ente d i n d i fferent © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved v INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9241-112:2017(E) Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 112: Principles for the presentation of information Scope T h i s c u ment e s tabl i s he s ergonom ic de s ign pri nc iple s control le d pre s entation o f i n formation for i nterac ti ve s ys tem s relate d to the s o ftware - by u s er i nter face s I t appl ie s to the th re e ma i n mo da l itie s (vi s ua l, aud itor y, tac ti le/ h ap tic) typic a l ly u s e d i n i n formation a nd com mu n ic ation te ch nolo g y T he s e pri nciple s apply to the p ercep tion and u nders ta nd i ng o f pre s ente d i n formation T he s e pri nciple s are app l ic able i n the ana lys i s , de s ign, a nd eva luation o f i nterac tive s ys tem s T h i s c ument a l s o provide s recommendations corresponding to the principles The recommendations for each of the principles are no t e xhau s tive and are no t ne ce s s ari ly i ndep endent from one ano ther Wh i le th i s c ument i s appl ic able to a l l typ e s o f i nterac tive s ys tem s , it e s no t cover the s p e ci fics o f p a r tic u lar appl ic ation domai n s T h i s c u ment a l s o appl ie s to outputs from i nterac tive s ys tem s (s uch as printed documents, e.g invoices) The guidance in this document for presenting information is aimed at helping the user to accomplish tasks This guidance is not aimed at the presentation of information for other reasons (e.g corporate branding or advertising) I t i s i ntende d for the fol lowi ng typ e s o f u s ers: — u s er i nter face de s igners , who wi l l apply the gu idance du ri ng the development pro ce s s; — develop ers , who wi l l apply the gu idance du ri ng de s ign a nd i mplementation o f s ys tem — eva luators , who are re s p on s ible — de s igners o f u s er i nter face development to ol s a nd s tyle gu ide s to b e u s e d b y u s er i nter face de s igners; — proj e c t managers , who are re s p on s ible — buyers , who wi l l re ference th i s c u ment du ri ng pro duc t pro c u rement for fu nc tiona l ity; en s u ri ng that pro duc ts me e t the re com mendation s; for ma nagi ng development pro ce s s e s; Normative references T he fol lowi ng c u ments are re ferre d to i n the tex t i n s uch a way th at s ome or a l l o f thei r content s titute s re qu i rements o f th i s c u ment For date d re ference s , on ly the e d ition cite d appl ie s For u ndate d re ference s , the late s t e d ition o f the re ference d c ument (i nclud i ng a ny amend ments) appl ie s ISO 9241-171:2008, accessibility Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 171: Guidance on software Terms and definitions For the pu r p o s e s o f th i s c u ment, the fol lowi ng term s and defi n ition s apply ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses: — IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia org/ — ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso org/obp © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) 3.1 user person who interacts with a system, product or service Note to entry: A person who uses an output or service provided by a system, such as a bank customer who receives a paper or electronic statement, visits a branch, or carries out telephone banking using a call centre, is considered to be a user [SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.10, modified — Change in notes.] 3.2 user interface all components o f an interactive system (so ftware or hardware) that provide in formation and controls for the user (3.1) to accomplish specific tasks with the interactive system [SOURCE: ISO 9241-110:2006, 3.9] 3.3 user-interface element user-interface object entity o f the user inter face that is presented to the user (3.1) by the so ftware EXAMPLE Text, graphic, control Note to entry: User-inter face elements can be interactive or not are regarded as userinterface elements A user-interface element can be a visual representation or an interaction mechanism for a Note to entry: Both entities relevant to the task and entities o f the user interface (3.2) task object (such as a letter, sales order, electronic part, or wiring diagram) or a system object (such as a printer, hard disk, or network connection) It can be possible for the user to directly manipulate some o f these user- interface elements Note to entry: User-inter face elements in a graphical user interface (3.2 ) include such things as basic objects (such as window title bars, menu items, push buttons, image maps, and editable text fields) or containers (such as windows, grouping boxes, menu bars, menus, groups o f mutually-exclusive option buttons, and compound images that are made up of several smaller images) User-interface elements in an audio user interface include such things as menus, menu items, messages, and action prompts [SOURCE: ISO 9241-171:2008, 3.38] 3.4 attribute data item that modifies or describes some aspect o f an action or an object Note to entry: An attribute whose value is subject to change can be treated as an object [SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.2, modified — Change o f the note.] 3.5 action user (3.1) behaviour that a system accepts as a request for a particular operation EXAMPLE Pressing a key, clicking a mouse button, moving the pointer over an object, speaking a command [SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.3] 3.6 operation predefined system behaviour that a user (3.1) initiates EXAMPLE Sending mail, printing, modi fying the data or properties o f an object Note to entry: A user (3.1) performs an actio n (3.5) or a set of actions to initiate an operation © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) [SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.4] 3.7 function task-specific operation (3.6 ) o f an object Note to entry: Objects can have zero, one, or many functions [SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.5] 3.8 state status o f an object, action (3.5), or attribute (3.4) which is related to the currently permitted interactions with the object, action, or attribute [SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.7] 3.9 selection explicitly identi fying an object, subsequent action (3.5) attribute (3.4), or operation (3.6) that is intended as the target for Note to entry: When a mouse is used, selection is per formed by clicking once on a mouse button, then, a second click is used to initiate the default function (3.7) of the selected item [SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.10] 3.10 context of use s (3.1), tasks, equipment (hardware, environments in which a product is used user so ftware and materials), and the physical and social [SOURCE: ISO 9241-11:1998, 3.5] 3.11 modality mode of interaction referring to one of the human senses Note to entry: The three modalities most commonly used in in formation/communication technology (ICT) are: visual, auditory, tactile/haptic Note to entry: Modalities are used in interactions between users (3.1) and systems 3.12 medium, sing media, pl di fferent specific forms o f presenting in formation to the user (3.1) EXAMPLE Text, video, graphics, animation, audio [SOURCE: ISO 14915-1:2002, 3.3, modified — The phrase “human user” has been shortened to “user” as the latter is a term defined as a person.] 3.13 convention specific design solution that is widely applied within a culture and therefore commonly expected to apply EXAMPLE Western languages are typically read from le ft to right 3.14 group set of information items or user interface elements (3.3 ) that are semantically related and perceptually distinct © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) 3.15 accessibility extent to wh ich pro duc ts , s ys tem s , s er vice s , envi ron ments and fac i l itie s c an b e u s e d b y p e ople from a population with the widest range of user (3.1) needs, characteristics and capabilities to achieve contexts of use (3.10) identi fie d go a l s i n identi fie d N o te to entr y: C o nte x t o f u s e i nclude s d i re c t u s e or u s e s upp o r te d b y a s s i s tive te ch nolo gie s Introduction to the presentation of information 4.1 Sources of guidance on presentation of information within the ISO 9241-100 series and their relationship Guidance on presentation of information is contained in various international standards, as well as in gu idel i ne s pro duce d b y ma nu fac tu rers o f i nterac tive s ys tem s Whenever the u s abi l ity o f i nterac tive s ys tem s i s add re s s e d i n guidance c u ments , pre s entation o f i n formation i s p ar t o f the s ideration Figure information give s NOTE an over view on typ e s o f s ou rce c u ments wh ich contai n gu ida nce on pre s ente d The following description also serves as alternative text for Figure I n I S O 41-110 , pri nciple s and genera l re com mendation s for the i nterac tion b e twe en u s er a nd s ys tem that apply ac ro s s appl ication domai n s a nd p a r tic u l ar te ch nolo gie s are i ntro duce d I n p a r tic u lar, the pri nciple s o f s el f- de s c rip tivene s s and form ity with us er exp e c tation s are relate d to the pre s entation of information Information, which is not self-descriptive, will mislead the user Information that is not f f other user expectations might be misunderstood In ISO 9241-112, principles and general recommendations for the presentation of information are lo c ate d where u s ers exp e c t it i s l i kely to b e no t de te c te d a nd i n ormation th at e s no t orm to i ntro duce d th at apply acro s s the th re e ma i n mo da l itie s (vi s ua l , aud itor y, a nd tac ti le/ hap tic) typic a l ly us e d i n IC T T he s e pri nciple s a nd genera l re com mendation s a l s o apply acro s s appl ic ation doma i n s and across technologies O ther I S O s tandard s contai n re com mendation s and re qui rements with a s p e ci fic thematic fo c u s — Re qu i rements and re com mendation s s p e ci fic to the vi s ua l pre s entation o f i n formation c an b e — Re qu i rements a nd re com mendation s s p e c i fic to d ia lo gue te ch nique s c an b e — Re qu i rements and re com mendation s s p e ci fic to an appl ic ation doma i n c an b e — Re qu i rements and re com mendation s s p e ci fic to acce s s ibi l ity c a n b e — re qui rements a nd re com mendation s s p e ci fic to a thematic s ubj e c t in ISO 9241-125 such as ISO 9241-143 such as ISO 9241-151 and ISO 9241-154 ISO 9241-20 and ISO 9241-171 ISO standards contain guidance at the levels of — principles, — general recommendations, and fou nd fou nd fou nd found i n s tandard s i n s tandard s i n s tandard s s uch as T hey no t pre s c rib e “s ta nda rd i z e d s olution s ” i n term s o f convention s (e g “the title b ar o f a wi ndow in fo c u s i s colou re d blue” or “put a nyth i ng u s ers u s ua l ly no t ne e d to s e e i n the lower-le ft corner or b o ttom o f the wi ndow” ) Such “s ta ndard i z e d convention s ” are publ i she d b y i ndu s tr y s ource s and can be found in literature However, the guidance relating to presented information in ISO standards is © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) b) timely presentation o f in formation, c) design the controls to be detectable, and d) continuity 6.1.2 Guidance related to using prominence 6.1.2.1 The user’s attention should be directed towards information as required 6.1.2.2 The focus of attention should be set on important information EXAMPLE Important information is presented at the top centre of a page of visual information EXAMPLE Important in formation is presented first in an audio announcement slowly and in easily EXAMPLE Important tactile/haptic in formation is presented using a higher intensity than less important understandable/acceptable languages of the users information The most important information (including critical elements) should be presented to stand out from other presented items of information and secure the user’s attention 6.1.2.3 EXAMPLE Critical in formation is presented in larger, bold faced, visually contrasting text in a visual display EXAMPLE Pauses are used to call attention to critical information in an audio announcement EXAMPLE A special warning vibration precedes the presentation of critical information on a tactile/haptic display 6.1.3 Guidance related to timely presentation of information 6.1.3.1 Information should be presented at a pace that suits the pace of the user NOTE The appropriate pace depends on the modality, the user’s needs (e.g a screen reader user might be 6.1.3.2 The pacing of information presentation should be under user control able to receive audio text at a much faster rate than a user not dependent on screen reading), and the content (e.g entertainment versus legal text) EXAMPLE The user controls scrolling on a page and transitions between pages of visual information EXAMPLE The user is able to pause and restart the presentation o f auditory in formation EXAMPLE The user has a control for advancing in formation on a Braille display 6.1.3.3 The user should be able to have information repeated EXAMPLE The user is able to go back to a previous page of visual information EXAMPLE The user is able to replay the last section o f auditory in formation EXAMPLE The user is able to replay the last sentence presented on a Braille display 6.1.3.4 The system response time for presenting information should be suitable to user expectations and the needs of the task 6.1.3.5 The sequence o f presentation o f in formation should take into account the logical flow and priority/importance o f the information that is being presented © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) Information that is less important should not interfere with the presentation of important information 6.1.3.6 6.1.3.7 For each user input, the system should give an immediate response NOTE While the timing o f the response might be influenced by connectivity delays, it is important that this response be generated by the system within 0,1 s NOTE The minimum response is to acknowledge that the input has been entered It is recognized that this type o f response might precede other more complex responses EXAMPLE In formation entered into a field on a visual display appears as soon as it is received by the system EXAMPLE An audio sound is presented when in formation is received from the user by the system EXAMPLE system A particular vibration pattern is presented when in formation is received from the user by the 6.1.3.8 The system should indicate when it is busy NOTE It is help ful for this indication to include an estimate o f the amount o f time that the system will remain busy, where such an estimate is possible EXAMPLE The system visually displays an hourglass to indicate that it is currently busy EXAMPLE The system produces a low-volume hum to indicate that it is currently busy The frequency o f the EXAMPLE The system produces a low-intensity vibration to indicate that it is currently busy The frequency hum increases as the estimated time that is remaining decreases of the vibration increases as the estimated time that is remaining decreases 6.1.4 6.1.4.1 Guidance related to making controls detectable by the user The most frequent and critical controls should always be presented to the user Controls that are only occasionally used and are also not associated with time-critical activities may be hidden as long as the user can get to them i f needed 6.1.4.2 EXAMPLE Controls not currently needed are removed from the visual display, but can be returned via a EXAMPLE Controls not currently needed are not listed in an audio menu, which also contains an option for EXAMPLE The user o f a tactile device has the ability to use a single tactile control for multiple di fferent single control action presenting additional controls control actions, depending on the current state of the device 6.1.4.3 The user should have access to information on what actions are possible 6.1.4.4 Controls that an individual is never allowed to use should be hidden for the interface for that user NOTE This can be done based on various types o f in formation including a user’s current role, permissions, and/or profile EXAMPLE Controls used only by administrators are not visually displayed to regular users EXAMPLE Controls used only by administrators are not provided in an auditory menu to regular users EXAMPLE States corresponding to di fferent control actions that are only used by administrators cannot be entered by users o f tactile devices 6.1.4.5 Controls should be designed in a way that they are detectable © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) 6.1.5 Guidance related to using continuity to aid detectability Where only part o f a set o f information is presented or where some o f the information is partially hidden, the system should make the user aware that more information is available and describe 6.1.5.1 how to access it EXAMPLE A scroll bar on a visual display indicates that there is more in formation than what is currently being displayed 6.1.5.2 The system should make the user aware o f the end o f a set o f information 6.2 Freedom from distraction 6.2.1 Principle of freedom from distraction Presented information is free from distractions if the information is presented so that required information will be perceived without other presented information interfering with its perception Distractions from a user’s point of view can result from both distracting events and information overload Freedom from distraction involves guidance related to a) avoiding distractions, and b) minimizing distractions 6.2.2 6.2.2.1 Guidance on minimizing and avoiding distractions Presented task-relevant information should be clearly distinct from any background or changing information that is added to the presentation for non-task-relevant purposes (e.g to “enhance” the artistic nature of the presentation) EXAMPLE An application uses minimal contrast in background images to avoid this background distraction from the main information that is presented EXAMPLE Advertisements not flash or dynamically change to avoid distracting the user reading other portions of the screen EXAMPLE An application uses minimal background music for phone-based interactive voice response systems 6.2.2.2 Where possible, users should be presented a means o f eliminating or reducing unnecessary backgrounds that could interfere with task-relevant information EXAMPLE The user is provided a means to change the background o f a pager o f displayed in formation to one EXAMPLE The user is provided a means o f minimizing system vibrations while using a Braille output device that is less distracting EXAMPLE The user is provided a means of cancelling the presentation of background music while listening to spoken output 10 © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) 6.3 Discriminability 6.3.1 Principle of discriminability Presented information is discriminable if 1) the i n formation is pre s ente d s uch that d i s cre te item s or group s o f item s can be acc u rately differentiated, and 2) the items of information are presented in a manner that supports their association with or differentiation from other items or groups of items D i s cri m i nabi l ity i nvolve s gu ida nce relate d to a) structuring, b) presentation attributes, c) (G e s ta lt law o f ) proxi m ity, and d) (G e s ta lt law o f ) s i m i l arity 6.3.2 Guidance related to the structuring of presented information Information should be structured in a consistent manner according to the semantic approach that best suits its use 6.3.2.1 NO TE I S O 149 -2 : 0 , identi fie s the fol lowi n g s em a ntic app ro ache s to s tr uc tu r i ng o f i n for m atio n: a) Task-based structuring , b) Usage-based structuring , where the s tr uc tu re i s a r nge d i n the order wh ich u s ers a re e xp e c te d to app l y application where the co ntent s tr uc tu re i s de ter m i ne d b y the s tr uc tu re o f the ta s ks o f the the content, e g b y i mp o r ta nce , fre quenc y o f u s e , or i nd ividu a l viewp oi nts 1) Importance-based structuring , where the content is structured based on the estimated order of relative importance of different chunks of content to the user 2) Frequency of use structuring , where the content is structured based on the estimated order of rel ative 3) 4) fre quenc y o f u s e o f d i fferent chu n ks o f content to the u s er Order of use structuring , where the content is structured based on the estimated order of use of different chunks of content to the user Conventional structuring , where the content i s s tr uc tu re d i n the trad itio n a l way that it i s de s c rib e d , taught, p re s ente d to p e o p le b e com i n g acqu a i nte d with it, or i n the trad itio n a l way th at it i s orga n i z e d b y re s e a rchers i n the field c) Time-ordered structuring , where the co ntent i s identi fie d a nd s tr uc tu re d b a s e d o n ti me s o r date s th at app l y to the content d) 1) Time-sequenced structuring , 2) Historical structuring , where the co ntent i s s tr uc tu re d b a s e d o n the orde r o f its de velo pment/d i s cover y will be a linear sequence where unique times or dates are involved, a time-ordered structure or causes and effects Information-model-based structuring , where the content s tr uc tu re is de ter m i ne d b y a mo del o f the i n for m ation (e g i n c ate gor ie s , entitie s , a nd attribute s , ob j e c ts , or cl a s s e s o f ob j e c ts) 1) Logical-group structuring , where the content i s s tr uc tu re d i n clu s ters b a s e d on s ome s e t o f m aj or lo gic a l concep ts; i nd ividu a l chu n ks o f content c a n app e a r i n mu ltip le lo c ation s i n s uch a s tr uc tu re © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved 11 ISO 9241-112:2017(E) 2) Alphabetical-order structuring , where the content is alphabetically structured based on an index o f 3) Generalization granularity structuring , where content is organized from general to specific or from 6.3.2.2 meaningful descriptors specific to general Di fferent semantic approaches may be used to structure di fferent levels o f information EXAMPLE The two-dimensional nature o f visual displays makes it possible to use two di fferent semantics at the same time for structuring in the X and Y dimensions (e.g in a graph the X dimension is used for time and the Y dimension is used for distance) EXAMPLE Auditory coding can involve using volume for encoding one semantic (e.g strength) and using requency for another semantic (e.g time) f EXAMPLE In tactile user inter faces, sur face textures can represent one semantic (e.g type o f terrain on a map), while distances can represent another semantic In addition to the structuring o f information on a single display, structuring also involves linking o f information between di fferent presentations on a single display (e.g di fferent Web pages) and between di fferent display devices 6.3.2.3 6.3.3 6.3.3.1 Guidance related to using presentation attributes Items o f information that are logically dissimilar should be presented di fferently (e.g using different presentation attributes) to make their differences obvious NOTE This can involve locations, visual shapes, sizes, colours, type faces, etc.; auditory order o f presentation, volumes, tones, frequencies, etc.; tactile locations, shapes, vibrations, pressures, etc 6.3.3.2 There should be more than one means of encoding properties of information NOTE It is inappropriate to use colour as the only means o f visually coding properties o f in formation because NOTE It is inappropriate to use frequency as the only means o f auditory coding properties o f in formation NOTE It is inappropriate to use vibration amplitude as the only means o f tactile coding o f in formation some people cannot distinguish between colours because some people cannot distinguish between frequencies because some people cannot distinguish between amplitudes 6.3.4 6.3.4.1 another Guidance related to grouping using proximity Information should be presented in groups which can be recognized as distinct from one Where large amounts of information are presented, structuring of and separating the separate groups of information from one another 6.3.4.2 information may be used to help separate individual items o f information from one another and to 6.3.4.3 Items o f information that belong together should be presented in physical/temporal proximity to one another Items o f information with similar properties should be presented in physical/temporal proximity to one another 6.3.4.4 Objects in spatial, temporal, or acoustic proximity to one another should be su fficiently separated to avoid accidental activation o f the wrong object 6.3.4.5 12 © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved ISO 9241-112:2017(E) EXAMPLE Objects on a visual display are separated by 50 pixels to make it easier for users to select them on EXAMPLE Voice commands are acoustically distinct to avoid the speech recognition system from mistaking EXAMPLE Tactile controls are separated by cm to avoid users reaching for one accidentally activating the a touch screen the user’s intention other as well Where grouping of information is used to structure information for ease of use, the number of user Where more items are present than can be discriminated, sub-groups should be used to keep the number of items discriminable 6.3.4.6 items or chunks o f information in a group should be limited to ensure information discriminability by the NOTE Typically, users have di fficulty discriminating between seven or more items or chunks o f in formation The number o f items users can discriminate between drops as the complexity o f in formation increases NOTE The number o f items or chunks o f in formation that are discriminable depends on the modality (e.g the auditory modality typically has a maximum o f three to five items) 6.3.4.7 Where large amounts o f in formation are available, the user should be able to filter the information to limit the presentation o f information to that information which is currently relevant to the user’s task 6.3.4.8 Where values of an attribute are used (as coding) to discriminate between different groups of information items, the number of different values of an attribute should be kept to a discriminable number of values If more groups are required, sub-grouping should be used to keep the number of values o f any single attribute to a discriminable number o f values 6.3.4.9 6.3.5 6.3.5.1 Physical and/or temporal spaces should be used to separate groups o f information Guidance related to using similarity Items o f information (including controls) that are logically similar should be presented using similar attributes to draw attention to their similarities NOTE This can involve visual shapes, sizes, colours, type faces, etc.; auditory volumes, tones, frequencies, etc.; tactile shapes, vibrations, pressures, etc.; and aspects o f proximity (see 6.3.4) 6.3.5.2 Items o f information (including controls) that are logically dissimilar should be presented using one or more different attributes to draw attention to their dissimilarities Items in a group of information that are ordered should be presented using one or more following 6.3.5.3 di fferent attributes that imply ordering to help users to easily orient themselves among preceding or NOTE ISO 9241-14:1997, 5.3 provides guidance on sequencing of options within groups 6.4 Interpretability 6.4.1 Principle of interpretability Presented information is interpretable if it will be comprehended as intended Interpretability involves guidance related to a) comprehensibility, © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved 13 ISO 9241-112:2017(E) b) unambiguous meaning, c) closure, d) textual coherence, e) selection and use o f media/modality, and f) user capabilities 6.4.2 Guidance related to ensuring comprehensibility 6.4.2.1 Information should be complete (e.g containing all information items relevant for completing 6.4.2.2 Items o f information should be semantically distinct from one another 6.4.2.3 Information on the current states that affect interactions and processing should be available a task) Menu items evoking a function should be worded with an active verb to identi fy the action and, where appropriate, a noun to identi fy the object o f the action 6.4.2.4 EXAMPLE In English language systems, items initiating actions begin with a verb that unambiguously represents the outcome o f the command to be per formed by selecting the item NOTE The sequence of presentation might be different in different languages Menu items leading to objects should use nouns and suitable modifiers that unambiguously identi fy the object represented 6.4.2.5 6.4.2.6 Choices representing states should be titled using adjectives (e.g active/inactive) that unambiguously represent the state 6.4.3 Guidance related to ensuring unambiguous meaning 6.4.3.1 Information should be presented with vocabulary that the user is familiar with NOTE It is also important to be able to recognize the difference between user entries, defaults, and 6.4.3.2 Information should be expressed in a way which will facilitate the user’s understanding 6.4.3.3 Simple linguistic constructions and word forms should be used whenever possible previously entered data NOTE In general, positive verbalized expressions are more understandable than expressions containing negations 6.4.3.4 Presented information should be unambiguous 6.4.3.5 Controls should be designed in a way that the e ffort to explore them and learn their use and NOTE This can involve separate means of selecting, activating, and obtaining information on a given control 6.4.3.6 The meaning o f abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and symbolism (including metaphors) meaning is minimized should be clear to the user 14 © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved