2 Standardize content

The rather extensive UNIFY group of rules concerns all aspects of unification or standardization: Things which mean the same should, where possible, be represented in the same manner, and things, which have different meanings, should not be represented in the same manner. This group of rules is broken down into four sections:

For years we have recommended compiling a notation manual so that important rules of design can be implemented in a uniform manner, much like a glossary. We have already had initial success with several companies; see companies listed in the Hall of Fame, for example. So that each interested party does not have to develop something separately, we will gradually add important design recommendations to this proposed outline here.

2.1

Unify applications and objects: Reports and presentations

Applications here pertain to reports and presentations, also including their specific page structure as well as various types of exhibits. Objects, upon which reports and presentations are based, refer here to charts, tables, texts, and so on. Rule 2.1.4 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...

2.2

Unify Components: Measures, dimensions, and analyses

A distinction is made here between the basic components upon which the objects in reports and presentations are based: Measures such as sales and staff, dimensions such as countries and products, as well as analyses such as ranking or averages. Rule 2.2.3 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...

2.3

Unify elements: Data series, headers, chart axes, labels, etc.

The elements of these objects to be unified concern tables, charts, graphs, and so on. Rule 2.3.3 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...

2.4

Unify language: Sentences, words and characters

Language pertains to unification of the structure of sentences, the spelling and meaning of words and abbreviations, as well as uniform use of special characters. Rule 2.4.3 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...