The goal of this exercise is to help you learn to apply Chapter 4's guidelines for planning the content and overall organization of reader-centered communications.

The Exercise

The Scenario: The new Biology Department Chair has a genuine commitment to student education and would like to improve the already good Biology Department. Although the department is doing a fine job of educating its students and producing strong graduates, the Chair knows that her department, like any department, could be improved. Specifically, there isn't always enough diversity in terms of the courses being offered; some courses are offered infrequently, making scheduling difficult; many courses are taught by relatively inexperienced graduate assistants or lecturers; equipment in many courses and labs is outdated. Your department Chair is aware of some of these problems and has pledged to do something about it. On her first day on the job, as a matter of fact, she issued a memo to all faculty and students in which she spoke of "the need to revitalize our program."

Your Assignment

Part I

As part of her effort to revamp the program, the department head has asked for input from students like yourself. Specifically, she wants students to complete the following tasks:

1. Identify what they believe to be key problem areas in the department (these may include some of the ones mentioned above as well as others not listed there) and
2. Make some broad recommendations for improvement.

Following the guidelines in this chapter, make a list of things you would want to say in a memo to the department head.

Part II

You've now made a list of items you want to cover in your memo, items ranging from complaints to possible solutions. Now you've got to get ready to write the memo. In preparation for this, decide how you will organize the information on your list:

• Will you organize your memo around topics (i.e., lack of equipment; problems and solutions)?
• Will you first discuss problems and then talk about solutions?

Prepare a storyboard for this memo, which will help you plan the memo's organization. Be as detailed as possible, answering at least the questions above.

While working on this exercise, you may download the Guide for Planning Your Usability Strategies.