scope:

ISO 9241-161:2016 describes visual user-interface elementspresented by software and provides requirements and recommendationson when and how to use them. This part of ISO 9241 is concernedwith software components of interactive systems to makehuman-system interaction usable as far as the basic interactionaspects are concerned. ISO 9241-161:2016 provides a comprehensivelist of generic visual user-interface elements, regardless of aspecific input method, visualization, and platform orimplementation technology. The guidance given in this part of ISO9241 is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 9241 guidanceon dialogue techniques. It recognizes that additional elements canevolve. It also addresses derivates, compositions (assemblies) andstates of user-interface elements. It gives requirements andrecommendations on selection, usage and dependencies ofuser-interface elements and their application. It is applicableregardless of a fixed, portable or mobile interactive system. Itdoes not provide detailed coverage of the methods and techniquesrequired for design of user-interface elements. This part of ISO9241 does not address implementation (e.g. graphical design ofelements) and interaction details for specific input methods ortechnologies. It does not cover decorative user-interface elementsthat are intended to address solely aesthetic (hedonic) qualitiesin the user interface, e.g. background images. The information inthis part of ISO 9241 is intended for use by those responsible forthe selection and implementation of visual user-interface elementsin interactive systems and for evaluating user interfaces. It isintended for use by those planning and managing platform specificaspects of user interface screen design. It also provides guidancefor human factors/ergonomics and usability professionals involvedin human-centred design. It addresses technical issues only to theextent necessary to allow users of this part of ISO 9241 tounderstand the relevance and importance of a consistent interfaceelement usage and selection in the design process as a whole. AnnexA provides a guide to selection of different visual user interfaceelements depending of their appropriate application.