A Why-What-How tool for development and documentation of operating procedures

DSTOP (Design Support Tool for Operating Procedures) is a relatively simple software tool for the support of designers of new user interfaces and their procedures for use. DSTOP is based on two complementary models: the documentation coherence maxims and the situated-act model, which distinguishes domain actions from interface actions. Use of the tool involves the writing of operating procedures using a kind of grid, where the operating procedure runs from top to bottom and is divided horizontally into Why, What and How elements. The Why element represents the operating procedure´s goal; the What represents the operating procedure´s situated act, and the How represents the interface action(s) required to effect the act. The tool has been used to develop prototype operating procedures for computer-based aircraft cockpit interfaces. DSTOP adds new functionality associated with the coherence maxims, including explicit representation of variants of terms, and explicit tracking and display of procedures (and their Why-What-How components) in which any of the variants is used