Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Guidance on World Wide Web user interfaces

BS EN ISO 9241-151:2008 Ergonomics of human-system interaction. Guidance on World Wide Web user interfaces

BS EN ISO 9241-151 is the international standard that provides guidance on the human-centred design of software Web user interfaces with the aim of increasing usability. Web user interfaces address either all Internet users or closed user groups such as the members of an organization, customers and/or suppliers of a company or other specific communities of users.

The recommendations given in this part of BS EN ISO 9241 focus on the following aspects of the design of Web user interfaces:

• High-level design decisions and design strategy
• Content design
• Navigation and search
• Content presentation.

The user interfaces of different types of user agents such as Web browsers or additional tools such as Web authoring tools are not directly addressed in this part of BS EN ISO 9241:2008 (although some of its guidance could apply to these systems as well).

Web user interfaces are presented on a personal computer system, mobile system or some other type of network-connected device. While the recommendations given in this part of BS EN ISO 9241 apply to a wide range of available front-end technologies, the design of mobile Web interfaces or smart devices could require additional guidance not within its scope; neither does it provide detailed guidance on technical implementation nor on issues of aesthetic or artistic design.

Contents of BS EN ISO 9241-151 include:

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Scope
• Normative references
• Terms and definitions
• Application
• A reference model for human-centred design of World Wide Web user interfaces
• High-level design decisions and design strategy
• Content design
• Navigation and search
• Content presentation
• General design aspects
• Overview of the ISO 9241 series
• Sample procedure for assessing applicability and conformance
• Bibliography

Other parts of ISO 9241 are also available:

Part 1: General introduction

Part 2: Guidance on task requirements

Part 3: Visual display requirements

Part 4: Keyboard requirements

Part 5: Workstation layout and postural requirements

Part 6: Guidance on the work environment

Part 7: Requirements for display with reflections

Part 8: Requirements for displayed colours

Part 9: Requirements for non-keyboard input devices

Part 11: Guidance on usability

Part 12: Presentation of information

Part 13: User guidance

Part 14: Menu dialogues

Part 15: Command dialogues

Part 16: Direct manipulation dialogues

Part 17: Form filling dialogues

Guidance on software individualization is to form the subject of a future part 129.

ISO 9241 also consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomics of human-system interaction:

Part 20: Accessibility guidelines for information/communication technology (ICT) equipment and services

Part 110: Dialogue principles

Part 151: Guidance on World Wide Web user interfaces

Part 171: Guidance on software accessibility

Part 300: Introduction to electronic visual display requirements

Part 302: Terminology for electronic visual displays

Part 303: Requirements for electronic visual displays

Part 304: User performance test methods

Part 305: Optical laboratory test methods for electronic visual displays

Part 306: Field assessment methods for electronic visual displays

Part 307: Analysis and compliance test methods for electronic visual displays

Part 308: Surface-conduction electron-emitter displays (SED) [Technical Report]

Part 309: Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays [Technical Report]

Part 400: Principles and requirements for physical input devices

Part 410: Design criteria for physical input devices

Part 920: Guidance on tactile and haptic interactions

Please note that some of the above Parts are at Draft stage and are available to purchase, but please check back for new publications.

Framework for tactile and haptic interaction is to form the subject of a future part 910.