A Human Factors Design Investigation of a Computerized Layout System of Text-Graphic Technical Materials

In converting task listings into multiple pages of documentation for job aids or training, the two major problems are deciding how much material should go on each page and how text and graphics should be laid out on the page. A questionnaire study was used to collect input from 14 human factors personnel in order to design algorithms for page splitting and page layout. From the rules or heuristics used for page splitting, an algorithm was devised that closely matched human page-splitting results. Layout of individual pages was automated with an algorithm based on the (significant) consensus among the subjects on questions of graphics positioning and label ordering. The two algorithms have been combined in a computer-aided design procedure that automatically pages task lists and lays out individual pages.