an automated routine for menu structure optimization
We propose an automated routine for hierarchical menu structure optimization. A computer advice-giving system founded on the mathematical model of menu navigation directs the designer-driven process of sequential enhancement, while menu designer caters for the semantic quality of menu labels and groupings used. The mathematical model employs the frequencies of functions' usage and the estimates of navigation time delays to calculate the average search time for the current and optimal menu structure, to show the "bottleneck" panels of the current menu, and to suggest the direction of their improvement. The model covers the variety of menu types and allows choosing the best type to meet requirements of specific application or user category. The approach is illustrated by the optimization of a mobile phone command menu.
usability menu-driven system menu of mobile device menu design automation depth vs. breadth optimal hierarchy