A Documentation Tool to Create Sticky Notes With Pictures

When we first started Blue Mango Learning Systems we created a lot of training for 3D/4D ultrasound systems. The solutions we created were very media rich (lots of videos, animations, images and audio). During this process we had the opportunity to meet with many doctors and sonographers. As we saw them use these expensive and complex machines we noticed something. On the side of each screen were a bunch of sticky notes. The sticky notes had numbered lists on them detailing the steps required to complete a task. It was a task that the user had to perform somewhat regularly, but which they struggled to remember how to do.

When I saw this I thought to myself, these companies are spending all of this money to design a beautiful, high-tech machine. They spend time, effort and money to create multimedia education materials, user manuals and onsite training courses. Despite all of this effort and expense, what the user really wanted was a sticky note.

So, instead of spending time to improve documentation tools and media authoring systems, why don’t we try to make the sticky note better. We’re not going to make a better software manual. People don’t read software manuals. We will make better sticky notes. People use those all the time.

And that was when the first idea for ScreenSteps came about. We looked at the key elements of the sticky note:

1. Easy to create – Anyone could create a sticky note.
2. Task based – The notes focused on completing tasks, not describing features.
3. Succinct – The sticky note only had information that was absolutely necessary.
4. Convenient – The sticky notes were available right when the user needed them.

So, when we designed ScreenSteps we kept all of this in mind:

1. It had to be easy to use.
2. It had to create “task based” documentation.
3. It should push users to creating short, focused documents.
4. It should allow users to put their content where they needed to actually use it.

And then we made it better. We added pictures. So, if you want to understand ScreenSteps a little more, realize that it is a documentation tool that is the natural evolution of the sticky note. It lets you create sticky notes with pictures.

If you keep this in mind when you create your next lesson, you will find that the lessons you write are a little smaller, a little more focused in their content, and a little easier for your users to understand.