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.

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