Overview
EN ISO 9241-13:1998 (ISO 9241-13:1998) specifies ergonomic requirements for user guidance in software user interfaces for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs). It focuses on guidance elements beyond the regular user-system dialogue - for example prompts, feedback, status information, error management, and on-line help - to improve usability, reduce mental workload, and support users of varying skill levels. The standard is application- and technology-independent and includes evaluation guidance (Annex A) and definitions for terms such as context-sensitive help and browsable help.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose
- Guidance addresses system-initiated and user-initiated support to promote efficient task completion and error recovery.
- General guidance principles
- Guidance must be distinguishable from other content, non‑disruptive, context‑specific, and under user control when user‑initiated.
- Users should be able to select guidance level according to expertise.
- Phrasing and tone
- Messages should emphasize actions and user control (e.g., “To save your changes, press OK.”), state results before instructions, and prefer positive wording.
- Prompts, feedback, status
- Clear, task-relevant prompts and feedback; status information must indicate current system state.
- Error management
- Covers prevention, system-assisted correction, user recovery, and clear, actionable error messages (avoid generic “Invalid data”).
- On-line help
- Recommendations for browsable and context-sensitive help, presentation, navigation, and system- vs user-initiated help.
- Evaluation and applicability
- Procedures for assessing applicability and conformance are provided; recommendations are to be applied selectively based on user tasks, environment, and technology.
Practical applications and users
Who benefits:
- UX/UI designers and dialogue designers implementing user guidance in applications.
- Usability specialists and HCI practitioners validating interface guidance and error handling.
- Software vendors and procurement teams specifying ergonomic requirements in RFPs.
- Ergonomists and accessibility professionals ensuring guidance reduces cognitive load and supports diverse users.
Typical applications:
- Business and productivity software, enterprise systems, web applications, and any VDT-based tools that require interactive guidance, contextual help, or robust error recovery.
Related standards
EN ISO 9241-13 is part of the ISO 9241 series on VDT ergonomics. Relevant linked parts include:
Keywords: ISO 9241-13, EN ISO 9241-13, user guidance, VDT ergonomics, prompts, feedback, error management, on-line help, usability, human-computer interaction.
