Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Schedule
The schedule is simply your estimate of the amount of time you think
needs to be allocated for each of the tasks in your list, along with an
approximate completion date for each. Particularly for larger projects,
make sure you take into account holidays, vacations, staff meetings,
and other non-productive times. You'll also need to include a statement
of assumptions that lists factors that could delay your project (such as
slow reviewer turnaround, changes to code-freeze dates, or other
issues you may hit).
Be aware that any schedule you set will change, and the larger the
project, the more likely it is that something will go wrong. Some things
are simply out of your control, such as when the software screens will
be ready for you to capture or how fast the technical reviewers turn
around and approve your output. The best you can do is to track the
actual schedule against your estimates, and adjust the next project
accordingly. As you go through subsequent projects, you'll be able to
come up with increasingly accurate data, and this will help you make
better estimates on future projects.
Scripts and Storyboards
If you're writing a manual, you start with an outline. If you're building
a house, you need architectural drawings. When you create a Captivate
movie, you can use either a script or storyboards to plan the content.
Scripts, like in Hollywood, are printouts of the text that will be in
the movie. In this case, you may also include directions such as
“user clicks the Next button” or whatever is appropriate to your
project. The more detail you include in your script, the smoother
your project will go. Scripts can also be useful in the review pro-
cess, if you need to get input or sign-off before actually creating a
movie.
Storyboards are graphic representations of your movie, usually
consisting of a series of screen shots that represent the major
components of the movie. The storyboards may be rough sketches
on paper or more of a prototype done electronically, depending on
your skills and available time.
Obviously, the script will have to describe some of the graphics, and
storyboards will have some text. Both approaches are used to organize
