1. 1 of 2 This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT. © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Description Get StartedLearn More AboutBest PracticesSelection GuideReference GuideOverview Objective Who Is it For? Introduction to the fundamental procedures of a tool or service. Intermediate and advanced procedural information that teaches users how to better use a tool or service. Collection of established, required, and/or recommended methods or policies for using a tool or service. Overview of a group of tools or services that helps users choose from multiple options. Collection of organized, non- procedural information in one concise resource. Frame of reference for a tool or service. Show how to get up and running on a tool or service as quickly as possible. Teach about customization and deeper features of a tool or service. Inform users of mandatory or recommended methods for using a tool or service. Enable users to choose the best tool or service for a particular task at hand. Consolidate supplemental (reference) information that is not available in another single location. Provide a high- level, conceptual understanding of a wide-ranging tool or service. Users looking for start-up information. Users familiar with a tool or service who want to learn more. Users with multiple options for accomplishing a given task. Users who have a need to make a choice and are not looking for a definition of a tool or service. Users who are running a tool or service and have questions about functionality, etc. Users who will benefit significantly from having “the big picture.” About Everyday Productivity Education (EPE) The Microsoft IT Productivity Education team offers several discrete guide types. This selection guide defines and describes what users can expect from each guide type.

2. 2 of 2 This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT. © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Optional Elements Get StartedLearn More AboutBest PracticesSelection GuideReference GuideOverview Characteristics Definition of tool or service. Procedural steps to get started. Fundamental tasks. Links to more information. Detailed procedural information. Links to more information. Explanatory overview. Explanation of rationale or value for each recommended practice. Links to more information. Description of each option. Advantages of each option. Disadvantages of each option. Links to more information. Overview explaining the guide. Links to more information. Definition. Description of functionality. Introductions to core concepts. Links to more information. Procedural variations. Terminology and definitions. Definitions. Tables and charts. Procedures. Terminology and definitions. Screenshots or illustrations. Technical requirements and features for each option. Best uses. Comparison charts. Glossary. FAQs. Diagrams. Known Issues. Table of Contents. Informational charts. Screenshots. Diagrams. Superfluous variations. Advanced options. Marketing. Fundamental tool or service information. Marketing. Setup instructions. Superfluous variations. Marketing. Procedural art. Marketing. Procedures. Marketing. Prescriptive, simple path to key objectives. Gets users from point A to point B. Uses screenshots & illustrations for visual organization/ recognition. Weighted toward what you can do. No assumed 1:1 relationship with Get Started. Not a Best Practice. Weighted toward what you should do. Policy focused. Is a recommendation. Chart-based, not text-based. Describes, doesn’t prescribe. Succinct. Modular. Used repeatedly. Commonly used online. Not generally scenario- based. Few to no images. Not prescriptive. Big picture. Text- rich. Stand-alone. Inappropriate Elements Required Elements