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Subject:Re: System Documentation Metric From:LORITWR -at- aol -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 1 Nov 2000 01:05:44 EST
In a message dated 11/1/00 12:17:09 AM Eastern Standard Time,
claritydocs -at- earthlink -dot- net writes:
<< In a task-based user manual for a new software system, how many pages of
documentation do you typically write for each unique system screen? (In
other words, I'm looking for a sample pages-per-screen metric) >>
A lot depends on the complexity of each screen. If you have a GUI
requirement, you can identify the types of screens. For example:
simple (fewer than 10 fields)
medium 10-20 fields
complex (more than 20 fields)
Another clarifying issue is screen organization: field containers or just a
whole bunch of fields on the screen with no obvious organization.
Then, I would use a basic approach of about 2 pages for simple screens, 4
pages for medium screens, and 6 or 8 pages for complex screens. These page
counts should allow for some introductory information, field definitions, and
procedures. Others may want to adjust some of these numbers, but I think
they provide a good starting point -- at least for a "rough estimate."
Lori Corbett
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