Checklist for Menu Design with Cross-References to Sections in the Text

Menu Structure:

* Does the menu structure match the task to be performed by the user? (2.1, 11.5.2)

* Does the apparent system complexity/functionality match the user/task need? (3.3)

* Does the system state transition diagram optimize the user sub-task transition matrix? (3.3)

* Does the system inform the user as to whether selections merely move from node to node in a menu structure, request the display of information, or have the effect of executing procedures or entering data or changing parameters? (3.4)

* Does the system take advantage of menu selection as a metaphor? (4.3.1)

* Does the structure of the menu adequately embody the procedural and declarative knowledge of the database? (11.1)

* If the menu structure represents the organization of a database, is it organized according to an appropriate data structure (e.g., hierarchy, network, list, table)? (11.1)

* If a clustering method was used to generate the structure of the menu, did it extract groupings from a top-down or bottom-up approach that adequately matches the way in which the user searches the database? (11.2)

Application Menus:

* For command menus, does the order of selecting commands, operands, and options match the cognitive processing of the user? (3.5)

* For command menus, does the system adequately handle the changing availability of commands depending on the state of the system? (3.5)

* Has the menu structure been designed minimize menu traversal by taking into consideration command transitions required by the task? (11.5.2)

* For decision menus, are the contingencies of the decision tree properly represented in the menu hierarchy? (3.6.1)

* For decision menus, are all of the relevant factors involved in the decision accounted for? (3.6.2)

* For decision menus, is the rule for combining attributes appropriate for the user? (3.6.2)

* For information menus, is the menu structure appropriate for the way in which users desire to search the database and their familiarity with the database? (3.7)

* For category menus, does the menu structure contain the appropriate scope and refinement proper classification of instances? (3.8)

* For category menus, does the order of defining attributes agree with either order of importance to the user, or a prescribed or natural order? (3.8)

Sequencing of Menus:

* Does the processing of a single menu frame follow the expected sequence of actions? (2.1.1)

* If sequential linear menus are used, do they match the user's expectations of sequence or do they provide sufficient flexibility in changing the sequence? (2.1.2)

* If simultaneous menus are used, is it necessary for the user to see and select from several menus at once and are the items organized in a way that facilitates selection? (2.1.3)

* If connected graph menus are used, do they convey a sense of control over the flow of actions and do the paths match the flow of control required by the task? (2.1.5)

* If event trapping menus are used, do they provide the necessary background control over system state, options, and parameters required by the foreground task? (2.1.6)

* If pull-down menus are used, do they position high frequency items in locations that minimize user selection time? (10.1.1)

Hierarchical Menus:

* If hierarchical menus are used, do they convey a sense of stepwise refinement and take advantage of the ideas of branching and funneling? (2.1.4).

* If hierarchical menus are used and transmission time is not a problem, does it adequately take advantage of breadth to minimize total user response time and navigational errors? (8.4)

* If hierarchical menus and transmission time is slow, does the menu structure minimize total system time plus user response time? (8.6)

* If hierarchical menus are used, is a wide breadth of choice given at the top of the structure to help minimize early navigational errors? (9.1.1)

* If hierarchical menus are used, is a narrower breadth of choice given in the middle to help focus and reduce immediate navigational error? (9.1.1)

* If hierarchical menus are used, is a wide breadth of choice given at the bottom of the structure to help reduce choice uncertainty revealing long lists of final options? (9.1.2)

* If hierarchical menus are used, is the structure designed so as reduce the total number of menu frames? (9.1.3)

* If hierarchical menus are used, are high frequency and highly critical items located near the top of the menu structure? (10.1.3, 11.5.1)

Menu Information:

* Does the menu layout convey an appropriate metaphor that facilitates user understanding of the system? (4.3.3)

* Is the amount of information/explanation in the menu frame appropriate for scan/reading time required? (6.1.1)

* Is the amount of information/explanation in the menu frame appropriate for the level of experience/knowledge of the user? (6.1.1)

* If a menu requires several screens, has the information been appropriately divided among the multiple screens? (6.1.1)

* Do menus create a meaningful linkage from one menu frame to the next? (2.2.1)

* Do menu frames provide adequate context information about what led up to the current frame, the reason for the current selection, and the nature of the selection? (2.2.1, 6.1.4)

* Does the menu frame provide a meaningful label that identifies the rationale for the selection? (2.2.2, 6.2.1)

Item Information:

* Do the labels of the menu items provide meaningful, unambiguous information about the items? (2.2.3)

* If the labels are brief phrases, are have they been written as verb phrases in parallel construction? (6.2.2)

* Do the labels use familiar and consistent terminology? (6.2.2)

* Are the labels distinct from one another? (6.2.2)

* Do important keywords stand out? (6.2.2)

* If graphic images are used to represent items, are they highly distinctive and recognizable? (6.2.3)

* If graphic images are used to represent items, is there a direct linking between the item and its representation? (6.2.3)

* The label assist in the association of a functional requirement and the menu item? (7.2.1)

Selection Response Information and Location:

* Does the menu frame provide necessary information about how the selection is entered? (2.2.4, 6.3.1)

* When there is an insertion point on the screen for the selection response, is it located in a position expected/preferred by the users? (6.3.2)

* When items are selected from within a body of text, is the item and selection point embedded in the text rather than distal from the item? (6.3.2)

Information Format:

* Does the format of the menu convey the layout expected by the user? (2.2.5)

* Are the parts of the menu organized in a meaningful way? (2.2.5)

* Does the screen layout focus attention on the appropriate menu? (6.1.2)

* Does menu layout make effective use of perceptual grouping to organize items? (6.1.3)

* Is the format of information constant from menu to menu? (6.1.7)

* Does the layout of the menu promote learning of the location of an item within the frame? (7.2.1)

Selection Method:

* Is the mode of response to a menu consistent across menus? (2.3)

* Does it provide for verification prior to implementation? (2.3, 6.3.4)

* Is the mapping from menu item to selection response compatible? (2.3, 6.3.3)

* Does the spatial layout of items on the screen agree with the arrangement of keys on the keyboard? (6.3.3)

* If the response mode requires a standard keyboard, are users familiar with the layout of the keys? (2.3.1)

* If special function keys are used, are they meaningfully labeled? (2.3.2, 6.3.3)

* If special function keys are used, are they meaningfully arranged on the keypad? (2.3.2, 6.3.3, 11.3)

* If virtual keypads are used on the screen, do they obstruct work? (2.3.3)

* If virtual keypads are used on the screen, do they provide adequate feedback that an item is being pointed at? (2.3.3, 6.3.4)

* If response selection is accomplished by pointing, are selectable fields large and easy to hit? (10.1.2)

* If response selection is accomplished by pointing, are selectable fields arranged in such a way as to minimize selection errors? (10.3)

* Does the response mode minimize user selection time and frequency of selection errors? (4.1.3)

* Does the system provide sufficient feedback to help the user evaluate the success or a selection or determine whether an error has been made? (4.1.4)

* Does the system promote learning of the associate between the menu item and the response code? (7.2.1)

* Does the system promote learning of the motor selection response? (7.2.1)

Learning and Transfer:

* Does the system promote learning of the location of items in the menu structure? (7.2.1)

* Does system design capitalize on prior learning and experience of the intended users? (7.3)

* Does the system avoid lexical changes (relabeling) from prior learning and experience with prior versions of the system? (7.2.1)

* Is the system designed to facilitate transfer of learning from one area (e.g., application) to another? (7.2.1)

* Does the system provide training or assistance that allows the user to study the global organization or map of the menu structure? (7.4)

* Does the system provide training or assistance that makes effective use of appropriate metaphors? (7.4.3)

* Does the system avoid giving the user help information that appears excessive, superfluous, or distracting? (7.5)

Search Facilities:

* Does the menu system allow for a variety of user search styles? (4.2.2)

* If hierarchical menus are used, does the system provide options to redirect search to the beginning of the menu (top) and one level up (previous)? (9.2.1)

* If hierarchical menus are used, does the system provide cognitive landmarks that can be used in redirecting search? (9.2.3)

* Does the system provide a menu by-pass facility to facilitate speed of performance? (10.2)

* If the system provides alternate command keys, have they been assigned to facilitate learning and not conflict with assignments by other software used? (10.2.1)

* If a system provides direct access to menu frames, does it use meaningful labels for the menu frames? (10.2.2)

Menu Item Organization:

* Does the layout of the menu facilitate visual scanning by the user? (4.1.1)

* Does the set size and composition of menu items facilitate the user choice process? (4.1.2)

* Does the number of items per frame and the number of levels optimize choice time? (4.1.3)

* Has random or arbitrary ordering of menu items been avoided? (6.1.5)

* Are lists of menu items presented in a logical order to facilitate search? (6.1.5)

* Are lists ordered in such a way as to reveal structure and relationships among items? (6.1.5)

* Does the order menu items agree with the user's expected ordering of items? (6.1.5)

* Does the layout of menu items adequately convey and take advantage of the semantic space of the items? (11.3)