ISO/TR 25060 — SQuaRE: General Framework for Common Industry Format (CIF) for Usability-Related Information

1. Introduction to ISO/TR 25060 and the CIF Framework

ISO/TR 25060:2023, developed jointly by ISO/TC 159/SC 4 (Ergonomics of human-system interaction) and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7 (Software and systems engineering), defines a general framework for the Common Industry Format (CIF) for usability-related information. This Technical Report is part of the SQuaRE (Systems and software Quality Requirements and Evaluation) family of documents and provides a structured approach to documenting and communicating usability information throughout the system development life cycle.

The human-centred design approach established in ISO 9241-210 emphasizes that usability can only be achieved when user needs, tasks, and environments are systematically considered from the outset. ISO/TR 25060 operationalizes this principle by defining a set of information items — each with a prescribed content structure, terminology, and intended audience — that together form a complete usability documentation package.

2. Information Items and Content Structure

ISO/TR 25060 identifies seven primary usability-related information items, each addressing a distinct aspect of human-centred design. These items are referenced by separate International Standards that elaborate their detailed format.

2.1 Framework Design Principles

The framework is built on four key design principles. First, process independence — the information items are defined independently of any specific development process, allowing integration with diverse methodologies. Second, iterative refinement — information items can be initially drafted at a high level and progressively detailed as understanding grows. Third, stakeholder orientation — each item specifies its intended users and uses, ensuring that documentation serves practical purposes rather than bureaucratic overhead. Fourth, traceability — items reference each other, creating a coherent chain from user research through design to evaluation.

3. Engineering Design Insights: Practical Application

For engineers and usability practitioners, ISO/TR 25060 provides several actionable insights:

3.1 Procurement and Acquisition Support

The CIF framework is particularly valuable in procurement contexts. Organizations acquiring interactive systems can specify that suppliers must deliver CIF-conformant usability information items as part of the contract deliverables. This enables evidence-based comparison of competing products and provides objective criteria for acceptance testing. The Quantitative Usability Test Report (ISO/IEC 25062) is especially useful here, as it enables direct comparison of effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction metrics across products.

3.2 Integration with Agile Development

Contrary to the perception that usability documentation is incompatible with agile methods, the CIF framework can be effectively integrated into agile workflows. Each information item can be maintained as a lightweight artefact that evolves across sprints. The Context of Use Description can be refined as user stories are elaborated. The User Requirements Specification can be linked to acceptance criteria. The Evaluation Report can capture sprint review findings.

3.3 Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation

In regulated domains such as medical devices, aviation, and industrial control systems, usability documentation is a regulatory requirement (e.g., IEC 62366 for medical devices, FDA human factors guidance). The CIF framework provides a ready-made structure that satisfies many regulatory expectations, reducing the effort needed to compile compliance evidence.

4. Frequently Asked Questions