Getting users to cooperate

"Making users do what's necessary - without making them mad - is critical for the success of a system."

The following screen hides the data-entry area until the user gives the system the most critical piece of information.

This system was for untrained users to enter work orders for computer maintenance.  We had to make sure they specified which system had the problem.  Here's what the screen looked like when they started (and while they're selecting their system from the drop-down list):

They can search by:  tag#,  room#,  their name, or  serial#. Note that the bottom of the screen is blank.

After, and only after, they identify a valid system, they can now see the form to enter their problem:

 

Now the details of the system they selected are displayed, and they can create the Work Order. This is very effective.