The human factor in using structured document processors

Structured-document processors (SDPs) engineer documents by guiding and controlling the composing processes for specialized writing such as procedures. The author provides a functional definition of SDPs and explores the human factors implications of using SDPs. SDPs automatically format document design features and provide context-sensitive help on how to write within the required document structures. SDPs can also be used to schedule and track document development and to track source material incorporated in the documents. SDPs require customized programming; once customized, these systems make many writing choices hard to change. It is noted that those designing SDPs need sophisticated understanding of how document production teams will use SDPs. Designers also need an equally sophisticated understanding of the needs of documents end users