Conditional Action Steps

DOE-STD-1029-92

[f] Use short, simple words.

[g] Avoid ambiguous or vague adverbs.

[14]

Use main action steps to allow users to quickly comprehend the purpose of the

action step. Use action substeps to provide specific details for performance. Both

main action steps and action substeps use the same basic action step form.

[15]

Avoid formatting an action step so that it continues onto the next page.

[16]

Present numerical information in Arabic numbers (as opposed to Roman

numerals). Use spelled-out numbers only when one number without a specified

unit of measure is followed directly by one with a unit of measure or when a

number, typically a single digit number, is emphasized.

4.2

Conditional Action Steps

Conditional action steps are used when a decision is based upon the occurrence of a

condition or a combination of conditions. The use of conditional action steps is extremely

important in technical procedures as they structure the decisions required by the operator.

Conditional action steps use the following logic terms:

IF or WHEN to present the condition to the user

THEN to present the action

OR or AND to present more complex conditions

NOT to negate the condition

Other words (for example, "except", "unless", "but", "only" ) should never be used to

present conditional information.

[1]

Describe the condition first and then the action to be taken if that condition

applies.

EXAMPLE 4-5. Proper sequence for conditional statements.

[6]

IF the plug piece is not clean,

THEN wipe the cone base off with an alcohol moistened cotton swab.

[2]

Emphasize conditional terms in procedures. By convention, conditional terms are

usually capitalized and underlined. The emphasis techniques used for conditional

terms should be applied uniquely to conditional terms. Additionally, white space