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Most item documentation sounds like their product is the only thing in the User's life. Such thinking results in User confusion and dissatisfaction. This article presents three genuine-life examples of this attitude, and what must be done to remedy these unfortunate scenarios. The write-up concludes with some methods for the writer. BACKGROUND There are two critical facts that User Documentation ignores: 1. Your item is a only minor item in your ... OVERVIEW Most product documentation sounds like their product is the only factor in the User's life. Such considering results in User confusion and dissatisfaction. This write-up presents three genuine-life examples of this attitude, and what should be done to remedy these unfortunate conditions. The write-up concludes with some techniques for the writer. BACKGROUND There are two crucial details that User Documentation ignores: 1. Your item is a only minor item in your User's life two. Your User Documentation should assist fit your item into the User's life User Documentation that is written with awareness of these details results in a much better user encounter. Right here are three examples of where the writers (usually incorrectly) thought that their item was the only factor in the User's life. Example 1: Shoe Cleaner/Protector Most people know about polishing and maybe cleaning their leather shoes. This cleaner/protector item is meant to clean, safeguard and shine shoes. The instructions merely tell the User how to apply the item. What the User is Utilised to: I polish my shoes with standard wax (or liquid) shoe polish. The Dilemma: If a User desires to polish his/her shoes as well as use your cleaner/protector, then what order ought to the polish and the cleaner/protector be utilized? The instructions merely tell the User how to apply the cleaner/protector. It's like the cleaner/protector is the only shoe item in existence. Possible Options: The the cleaner/protector guidelines could say (as appropriate): * Use the cleaner/protector as an alternative of your typical shoe polish. * Use the cleaner/protector after you polish the shoes with your normal shoe polish. * For a deluxe shoe therapy, use the cleaner/protector 1st on the shoes. Wait a few minutes, then wipe off any excess with a clean cloth. Then polish the shoes utilizing your typical shoe polish, in the usual way. Lastly, use the cleaner/protector again, but do not wipe it off. These would make for significantly more effective directions, and they could very easily fit on the package. Instance two: DVD Player did not recognize that I had a VCR Men and women acquiring a DVD player a couple of years ago had been in the following predicament. They had a VCR connected to the single video input of their Television. DVD players' instructions described how to connect the player to a Television making use of a video input. The guidelines ignored the situation of how to connect the player if there already was a VCR connected to the Tv 's only video input. What the User is Used to: The VCR is connected to the only video input of my old television. The Problem: My new DVD player needs to be connected to the TV's only video input. Do I have to buy a switch or manually switch the DVD player and VCR? close window Solution: The writer should offer some tips or instructions how to set up the DVD player in the customer's genuine-life situation. These instructions might incorporate how to connect the DVD video by way of the VCR. Or connecting the DVD to the TV's video input, and connecting the antenna of the VCR to the antenna input of the Tv. Each devices can be connected with no need to have to purchase extra parts. The instructions must mention how. It would improve the User's experience in setting up the new device. (The guidelines must also mention that these methods of connecting the devices would yield a less than optimal image.) Instance three: A two in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Product A User commonly shampoos his/her hair and then might use a separate conditioner item. He/she just bought your item, a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner. It has no guidelines. What the User is Used to: A shampoo is employed on the hair and quickly rinsed. A conditioner gets left in the hair for a few minutes, then rinsed. here The Difficulty: Does this 2 in 1 product get left in the hair, or does it get rinsed out instantly? The Solution: Give appropriate guidelines on the package. Or, if it does not matter how long the 2 in 1 item gets left in the hair, then say so. Don't leave the User guessing. If the User wanted to guess about some thing, then they would be reading a novel, not your User Documentation. BOTTOM LINE: What to Do for Your Documentation Examine your product in the light of how it will change the way that the User currently does items. How will it fit into the User's life? How does the product fit with other goods your User employs? Make sure that your User Documentation aids the User to properly fit the item into his/her life. By ignoring the reality of your User's situation, you are forcing him/her to solve troubles that you could very easily resolve. If you supply the solutions, then you will create a better product encounter for your User. Fitting the product into the User's life presents the writer with a duty and an opportunity: * The duty to ease the User from what he/she previously did to the new product's predicament * The chance to explain your item by utilizing the User's experience as a background.