Reading and interpreting instructions:
When was the last time you had to assemble furniture or a barbeque? Can you set up your DVD player connections? Can you program a VCR to record automatically? How about car or snow machine maintenance manuals? Do you know how to quickly find what you need? How to use an index/table of contents.
The best way to learn about good instructions is to try writing them yourself. What are the characteristics of a good set of instructions? What sort of information do you need to complete the task?
Try writing 10 steps for making a peanut butter sandwich. Be sure your instructions are clear. You should be able to give these instructions to someone else, ask them to follow them exactly without any of their own interpretation, and see if they can complete the task.
Here is another one: Make a set of instructions for changing a flat tire on a vehicle of your choice. In this case assume that the user does not read. Use diagrams for each step.
Sometimes instructions will come with diagrams. These are usually very valuable. They allow you to compare the orientation of what you are doing to the intended outcome. Often small details are left out which causes a lot of frustration. If you assemble something and have too many extra parts, it is likely that something is not right. In many cases, it is a small detail that has been overlooked, or the instructions are not perfectly clear.
With instructions requiring assembly, ALWAYS check to see that you have all of the parts, pieces and tools before you begin. Match numbers on parts with diagrams so that you are familiar with each of the pieces and the sequence in which they are put together. Be sure to pay attention to CAPITAL LETTERS. CAPITAL LETTERS ARE A VISUAL CUE TELLING YOU THAT IF YOU IGNORE CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONS YOU WILL NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE TASK.
Instructions are provided in a step-by-step sequence for a reason. If you miss a step you will often end up having to return at some point. Check each step after completion.
Often understanding instructions is difficult because the writer has left out important information or assumed that you know something about the parts. In this case, you need to use logical deduction in determining what information is missing. In most cases, forcing something to fit means that something is not right. Try something else when this happens.
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Page Last Updated:
April 12, 2006 11:27 AM
