Hierarchy: Each time a user makes a selection, a new menu appears, forming a hierarchy. Think of it like opening folders within folders on your computer.
Objective-driven: The purpose of each selection is to guide the user toward a goal. It’s like following a path to reach a specific destination.
Non-destructive errors: Mistakes in selections might lead the user in the wrong direction, but these errors are usually fixable and won’t cause permanent damage.
Execute an action or procedure:
User directive: Selections prompt the computer to perform an action or procedure, such as opening a file or copying text.
Hierarchical execution: Actions may require navigating through hierarchical menus, or they might be performed along the way.
Caution with critical actions: Design prevents accidental selection of irreversible actions to avoid serious consequences.
Displaying information:
Information retrieval: Users select menu options to obtain specific information from a database or while browsing the web.
Focus on information: The primary goal is obtaining information, and users may spend time processing it.
Undoable errors: Wrong turns may happen, but they usually won’t permanently damage or delete information.
Data or parameter input:
Input specification: Each selection provides input data or parameter values for the system.
Spread over menus: Input might be on a single menu or across multiple levels.
Focus on input: Users are more concerned with providing accurate information than the selection process.
Correctable errors: Mistakes in input can be easily corrected by the system if detected.
