Consider software applications that you regularly use that have menu interfaces, whether they be PC- or mainframe based applications. Evaluate these applications in terms of the menu design guidelines outlined in Table 11-1.

Table 11-1.

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Wording Each menu should have a meaningful title • Command verbs should clearly and specifically describe operations • Menu items should be displayed in mixed uppercase and lowercase letters and have a clear, unambiguous interpretation • A consistent organizing principle should be used that relates to the tasks the intended users perform; for example, related options should be grouped together, and the same option should have the same wording and codes each time it appears • The number of menu choices should not exceed the length of the screen • Submenus should be used to break up exceedingly long menus • Selection and entry methods should be consistent and reflect the size of the application and sophistication of the users • How the user is to select each option and the consequences of each option should be clear (e.g., whether another menu will appear) • Highlighting should be minimized and used only to convey selected options (e.g., a check mark) or unavailable options (e.g., dimmed text) Organization Length Selection Highlighting