本文档涵盖了软件用户信息的设计者和开发者的开发过程。它描述了如何确定用户需要什么信息，如何确定信息的呈现方式，以及如何准备和提供信息。它不仅限于生命周期的设计和开发阶段，还包括整个生命周期的设计信息，如设计策略和设计维护。 本文档为软件用户提供了信息结构、信息内容和格式的要求。 本文件可用于开发以下类型的信息，但并未涵盖所有方面: -？为软件以外的产品用户提供的信息； -？使用动画、视频和声音的多媒体系统； -？主要用于正式培训计划的计算机培训（CBT）包和专业课程材料； -？描述系统软件内部操作的维护信息； -？用户界面本身包含的用户信息。 本文档适用于信息架构师和信息开发人员，包括各种专家: -？规划信息产品结构和格式的信息架构师； -？可用性专家和业务分析师，他们确定预期用户可以使用软件执行的任务； -？用户信息书面内容的开发者和编辑； -？具有电子媒体专业知识的平面设计师； -？用户界面设计师和工效学专家共同设计屏幕上信息的呈现方式。 对于那些在为用户开发信息的过程中具有其他角色和兴趣的人，本文件也是一个参考: -？软件开发过程或信息开发过程的经理； -？供应商为用户准备的信息收单机构； -？可用性测试人员、用户信息审查人员、主题专家； -？为用户创建信息的工具开发者； -？人为因素专家，他们确定了让用户更容易获取和使用信息的原则。

This document covers the development process for designers and developers of information for users of software. It describes how to establish what information users need, how to determine the way in which that information should be presented, and how to prepare the information and make it available. It is not limited to the design and development stage of the life cycle, but includes information on design throughout the life cycle, such as design strategy and maintaining a design. This document provides requirements for the structure, information content, and format of information for users of software. This document can be applied to developing the following types of information, although it does not cover all aspects of them: —？information for users of products other than software; —？multimedia systems using animation, video, and sound; —？computer-based training (CBT) packages and specialized course materials intended primarily for use in formal training programs; —？maintenance information describing the internal operation of systems software; —？information for users incorporated into the user interface itself. This document is applicable to information architects and information developers, including a variety of specialists: —？information architects who plan the structure and format of information products; —？usability specialists and business analysts who identify the tasks that the intended users can perform with the software; —？developers and editors of the written content of information for users; —？graphic designers with expertise in electronic media; —？user interface designers and ergonomics experts working together to design the presentation of the information on the screen. This document is also a reference for those with other roles and interests in the process of developing information for users: —？managers of the software development process or the information-development process; —？acquirers of information for users prepared by suppliers; —？usability testers, reviewers of information for users, subject-matter experts; —？developers of tools for creating information for users; —？human-factors experts who identify principles for making information for users more accessible and easily used.