Cognitive Dimensions of Notations: Understanding the Ergonomics of Diagram Use

The Cognitive Dimensions of Notations framework provides an analytic approach to understanding the way that diagrams are used in real tasks. It is intended as a tool for people who need to invent new diagrams or notational conventions. It offers such practitioners a vocabulary with which to discuss the properties of the notation that will be cognitively relevant, and that are likely to have an impact on the usability of notational systems. This tutorial presents the original motivation for the framework, an illustrated overview of the vocabulary, and a survey of the tools that have been developed for applying the framework in practical design and research contexts.