This document supports the need for software users to receive consistent, complete, accurate, and usable documentation. This document was developed to assist those who review, assess, and test software user documentation as part of the software lifecycle process. It is not limited to the review and test phase of the software lifecycle, but includes activities throughout the information management and documentation management processes. This document applies to printed and electronic documentation such as user manuals, online help, instructions, user assistance, tutorials, websites, and user reference documentation. Much of its guidance is applicable to user documentation for systems as well as the software used to control machinery or hardware devices. It applies to both initial development and subsequent releases of the software and user documentation. This document is intended for use by all types of organizations, whether or not a dedicated documentation department is present. Readers are assumed to have experience with or general knowledge of reviewing and testing processes.
- Standard Committee
- C/S2ESC - Software & Systems Engineering Standards Committee
- Status
- Active Standard
- PAR Approval
- 2015-02-16
- Superseding
- 26513-2010
- Board Approval
- 2017-06-15
- History
-
- Published:
- 2017-10-26
Additional Resources
- Downloads
- 26513-2017_downloads.zip
Working Group Details
- Society
- IEEE Computer Society
- Standard Committee
- C/S2ESC - Software & Systems Engineering Standards Committee
- Working Group
-
P26513 - User documentation test and review
- IEEE Program Manager
- Patricia Roder
Contact Patricia Roder - Working Group Chair
- Annette Reilly
Other Activities From This Working Group
Current projects that have been authorized by the IEEE SA Standards Board to develop a standard.
P26513
ISO/IEC/IEEE Draft International Standard - Systems and software engineering -- Testing and reviewing information for users
This document supports the interest of software users in receiving consistent, complete, accurate, and usable content (information), and specifies processes for testing and reviewing of information for users. It is not limited to the test and review stage of the life cycle, but includes activities throughout the information management process. The content of the information for users can include the following: application software, systems software, apps on mobile devices, and software that controls machinery or hardware devices. It applies to printed or digital user manuals, online help, user assistance, tutorials, websites, and user reference materials. This document is intended for use in all types of organizations, whether or not a dedicated information development team is involved.
Standards approved by the IEEE SA Standards Board that are within the 10-year lifecycle.
No Active Standards
These standards have been replaced with a revised version of the standard, or by a compilation of the original active standard and all its existing amendments, corrigenda, and errata.
26513-2010
IEEE Standard for Adoption of ISO/IEC 26513:2009 Systems and Software Engineering--Requirements for Testers and Reviewers of Documentation
This standard provides requirements for the test and review of software user documentation as part of the life cycle processes. It defines the documentation process from the viewpoint of the documentation tester and reviewer. It specifies process for use in testing and reviewing of user documentation, and provides the minimum requirements for these activities. It is relevant to roles involved in testing and development of software and user documentation, including project managers, usability experts and information developers, in addition to testers and reviewers. It applies to both printed documentation and on-screen documentation, and is applicable to user documentation for systems including hardware.
These standards have been removed from active status through a ballot where the standard is made inactive as a consensus decision of a balloting group.
No Inactive-Withdrawn Standards
These standards are removed from active status through an administrative process for standards that have not undergone a revision process within 10 years.
No Inactive-Reserved Standards