Homework Assignment

Instructions Package: Usability Analysis

Due: Sunday, Oct. 4, by 11:59 p.m.

Length Requirements: Use memo format. 500 words.

In the Usability Analysis assignment, you’ll will analyze and evaluate a set of instructions and offer feedback to the authors about how the instructions could be improved. Do not rewrite the instructions as part of your analysis. Your goal is to provide analysis and critique to an author to enable him/her to improve the draft.

A true usability test would involve carrying out the instructions and/or observing others carrying out the instructions. You are not required to do so for this assignment, but you will need to analyze and evaluate the instructions for both content and design issues.

Two sample instructions appear after the directions for the assignment. Choose one of these sample instructions to use for the Usability Analysis.

Organizing Your Usability Analysis

Your Usability Analysis should include the following four parts:

· An introduction that indicates the title of the instructions that you are analyzing, evaluating, and critiquing and indicates your own purpose for the memo.

· Section 1: A summary of the aims and audience of the instructions along with your evaluation of the primary strengths of the current draft.

· Section 2: Your analysis and evaluation of what can be improved combined with suggestions for improvement. You may wish to consider content (accuracy, completeness, organization, language) and design (readability, page layout, graphics, etc.) for the intended readers mentioned for the instructions. Specific examples of items that need improvement should be provided. (For instance, don’t say that the instructions are incomplete; instead say what the intended readers would find missing.)

· A conclusion that sums up your main points.

Audience Analysis

As you draft your Usability Analysis, you should keep in mind that you are writing your analysis memo to the authors of the instructions.   Practically, that means that your analysis and evaluation must be thoughtfully organized within the sections (e.g., topic sentences are used, for instance) and developed with details and specific information that allow the authors to write a new, improved draft.

It also means is that you must take care in your delivery of your analysis and critique. Your goal is not to offend the authors, to cause the authors to feel their writing skills are poor, or to damage your relationship with the authors who you may need to work with again. Ultimately, your aim is to help ensure that the intended audience of the instructions gets the best instructions possible.

Essentially, while you will provide some negative feedback, you must also be polite in providing that feedback to the authors. By doing so, you help cement your role as an objective reviewer, establish that you wish to have a positive, collaborative relationship with the authors, help ensure that you and the authors keep your focus on the intended audience for the instructions, and demonstrate your own professionalism (and that of the organization you represent).

Choose one of the Sample instructions below for the assignment.

Sample 1: Recipe for Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies

Author: Sally Strum, owner of Fantastic Cakes Bakery, who is writing recipes for her first cookbook.

Intended Audience for Recipe: Novice or Inexperienced Baker

Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies 

2 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

2 sticks unsalted butter

1/2 c. sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 tsps vanilla

2 large egs

chocolate chips

chopped pecans

 

Mix dry ing. (flour, soda, salt).  Cream sugars and butter together.  Combine sugar/butter mix and dry ing. Then, add vanilla, eggs, chips, and pecns.  Drop tblespons on greased cookie sheet and bake.

Sample 2: Instructions for Creating a Chalkboard Chest of Drawers for a Child’s Room

Author: Michael Silversmith, who is writing instructions for his Build/Home/Design blog that is geared to new homeowners.

Intended Audience for Post: Parents; No previous painting experience needed.

Instructions

Do you have an old dresser that could use new life? Want a fun piece of furniture for your children’s rooms that they can draw on?   Or, you could write what clothes go in each drawer so they can put away their own clothes.   The directions below show you how to turn a tired chest of drawers into a chalkboard masterpiece!

1. Buy a water-based primer and chalkboard paint in whatever color you want.

2. Remove the hardware from the dresser and take out the drawers.

3. Put the dresser and the drawers on a drop cloth.

4. The dresser should be sanded to remove the existing finish and then dust should be removed. dust.

5. Apply the primer purchased in step 1 with a paint brush.   Let dry before continuing.

6. Apply the chalkboard paint with a paint brush. It should dry, then sand it and apply a second coat, if it looks like it needs it. Let dry again.

7. Reassmble the drawers and hardware. Or, buy new hardware to jazz it up even more!