DSTOP (Design Support Tool for Operating Procedures) is a relatively simple software tool for the support of designers of new user interfaces and their procedures for use. DSTOP is based on two complementary models: the documentation coherence maxims and the situated-act model, which distinguishes domain actions from interface actions. Use of the tool involves the writing of operating procedures using a kind of grid, where the operating procedure runs from top to bottom and is divided horizontally into Why, What and How elements. The Why element represents the operating procedure's goal; the What represents the operating procedure's situated act, and the How represents the interface action(s) required to effect the act. The tool has been used to develop prototype operating procedures for computer-based aircraft cockpit interfaces. DSTOP adds new functionality associated with the coherence maxims, including explicit representation of variants of terms, and explicit tracking and display of procedures (and their Why-What-How components) in which any of the variants is used.
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