looking at crib-sheets
May 7, 2010 by Sohail. Filed under Articles. No comments.
when we look at the web for further reading, crib sheets are also called cheat sheets. confused as why am i posting something that we could call unethical to documentation. don’t worry, i use them for making my user more handy in understanding what he is really up to.
let’s explore more with clear definitions and explanation.
crib sheet is a concise set of notes used for quick reference (Wikipedia). In my very recent experience, I started with crib sheets and while looking at the first sample, I could just do more than sit calmly in my seat. While I went through what was in front of me, it was a flow diagram to say in general but served the purpose of a handy reference to the precise links or options available to user and perform a single but complete business scenario. Most amazing feature of this crib sheet was, considering my understanding of the business itself, I knew in just few minutes as what are key links and steps that would lead me to get things done for business use case without going through any bible (user manual) of that software.
So why not have crib sheets be a part of documentation kit for your software. Lets help a business user save time with just commands of enter, click and select the relevant areas and bingo! the task is done. Students reading this would have a different perspective but in a relative way, as keywords or short steps as guide for passing an exam or a test. But I don’t want any negative energy coming out from this article rather stay on the positivity island.
You have all the liberty to use any tool or colors but making sure they are still not a manual but contain key strokes to perform a specific task while also visually appealing. I’ll just conclude here to keep our eyes open and try different ways to make our users/customers feel at ease in using your software or any product – here crib sheets for a change.
Tags: business process, crib sheets, process flow
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