Database Reference
In-Depth Information
the Moment of truth
Check out the final results.
1.
Place any residual ego behind the door when returning to the testers.
2.
Compare the structure that the testers built with the photo image.
Note:
If the photo image is different from the tester's structure, consider this exercise to be an important
learning experience rather than a failure.
3.
Review the notes that the testers made and discuss their experience in creating the
structure.
This exercise was an outside-the-box skill-building activity for developing user instructions and having them
tested for accuracy. For some, this may have been a very humbling experience.
Help Files
Help files (aka help docs) may be included as part of the solution. Not every BI solution is complex enough
to require a help file, but depending upon how complex your BI solution is, it is something you may want to
consider.
Your help documents should contain four key items:
•
A hyperlinked table of contents
•
An index
•
A search feature
•
Specific instructions for each topic
Help files can be very simple to develop. The topics that are covered often correspond with the user manual,
but they are often written with more brevity. The subjects for your user manual are a good place to start when
developing help files.
PDF Files
One way of handling help files is to save them in a PDF file. PDF files are a format that is easy for users to
navigate but not necessarily easy for them to change. Many companies work with specific programs to aid in the
development of PDF files that can simplify (or possibly complicate) the process. But this can get expensive if you
are working on a budget and do not already own this software.
Simple PDF files can be created in Word 2010. To do so, write up the help instructions as necessary; then
access the File tab of the Ribbon and select the Save As option. This will bring up the Save As dialog window. Save
