OIT > WCG > UI/UX > Task Orientation

Task Orientation Guidelines

From Userfocus' 247 web usability guidelines page:

1. The site is free from irrelevant, unnecessary and distracting information.
2. Excessive use of scripts, applets, movies, audio files, graphics and images has been avoided.
3. The site avoids unnecessary registration.
4. The critical path (e.g.login, subscription) is clear, with no distractions on route.
5. Information is presented in a simple, natural and logical order.
6. The number of screens required per task has been minimised.
7. The site requires minimal scrolling and clicking.
8. The site correctly anticipates and prompts for the user’s probable next activity.
9. When graphs are shown, users have access to the actual data (e.g. numeric annotation on bar charts).
10. Activities allocated to the user or the computer take full advantage of the strengths of each (look for actions that can be done automatically by the site, e.g. postcode lookup).
11. Users can complete common tasks quickly.
12. The task sequence parallels the user’s work processes.
13. The site makes the user’s work easier and quicker than without the system.
14. The most important and frequently used topics, features and functions are close to the centre of the page, not in the far left or right margins.
15. The user does not need to enter the same information more than once.
16. Important, frequently needed topics and tasks are close to the 'surface' of the web site.
17. The path for any given task is a reasonable length (2-5 clicks).
18. When there are multiple steps in a task, the site displays all the steps that need to be completed and provides feedback on the user’s current position in the workflow.
19. Users of the site do not need to remember information from place to place.
20. The use of metaphors is easily understandable by the typical user.
21. Details of the software's internal workings are not exposed to the user.
22. The site caters for users with little prior experience of the web.
23. The site makes it easy for users to explore the site and try out different options before committing themselves.
24. A typical first-time visitor can do the most common tasks without assistance.
25. When they return to the site, users will remember how to carry out the key tasks.
26. The functionality of novel device controls is obvious.
27. Action buttons (such as "Submit") are always invoked by the user, not automatically invoked by the system when the last field is completed.
28. Command and action items are presented as buttons (not, for example, as hypertext links).
29. If the user is half-way through a transaction and quits, the user can later return to the site and continue from where he left off.
30. When a page presents a lot of information, the user can sort and filter the information.
31. If there is an image on a button or icon, it is relevant to the task.
32. The site prompts the user before automatically logging off the user, and the time out is appropriate.
33. Unwanted features (e.g. Flash animations) can be stopped or skipped.
34. The site is robust and all the key features work (i.e. there are no javascript exceptions, CGI errors or broken links).
35. The site allows users to rename objects and actions in the interface (e.g. naming delivery addresses or accounts).