One part of the reading that caught my attention was the simple usability question of "Is it safe?" This seems pretty simple, which is why I never gave it any thought until I actually read it. Since my instructions are about installing a shelf, various tools are used that have the potential to be dangerous. I am familiar with handling these tools on a daily basis, so it didn't occur to me that it could be unsafe for some users. While my expert readers shouldn't run as high of a risk, I think I will still use a few precautionary statements for liability purposes. My novice audience on the other hand, will need more precautions at any step using a potentially dangerous tool. I wouldn't want them putting a hole in the wall with a hammer or drilling somewhere that they shouldn't be.
I think the most effective usability test for my project and the one that I will most likely use is a survey. This will give me the feedback that I need on how readable my instructions are. I don't really have main points in my instructions, just one main goal of putting in a shelf, so overall feedback on whether the steps flow together to get the final product is most important. Since I doubt that anyone will want to go out and buy all the materials to test my instructions, this test will be easier for my reviewers and still give me the information that I need.
Some of the most important questions that I will want answered in my usability test:
Were any of the steps overly complicated?
Did any of the steps have a potential to cause damage?
Did any of the steps seem unsafe? (Should caution statements be added?)
Were the transitions smooth between steps?
Do any of the steps require more explanation?
Is the final product easily attainable with the information given?
With the answers to these questions, along with any other general feedback, I should be able to shape my instructions best for my target audience and ensure that they can follow them through without complication.
Surveys
I've also choosen to use a survey type usability test. I think, at least for me, it's probably the best way to make sure that I get back the kind of feedback that I'm really interested in (as opposed to say a summary). I think the questions that should be asked should really focus on the user, and the ease of usage of the actual document. The questions that you have outlined do a pretty good job of this. I think I would also include maybe some questions more relevant to the design and appearance of the instructions, with less of a focus on context. Maybe a question or two concerns the usage of white space, or the color distribution wouldn't hurt. I'd also focus on a lot of open-ended questions, rather than yes or no type responses.
Safety and Usability
It is probably a good idea to include those liability terms that you mentioned just for safety sake. After all, you are not going to be present during each shelf installation but your instructions are going to be what the user is following. So if they get hurt because you omitted something important in your instructions, you would probably be at fault. Also, if you are thinking of what liability terms to put into the instructions, you will most likely discover something you accidentally omittted. In a way, it is kind of like a form of proofreading before you proofread.
Is it safe?
I also had to think about the “Is it safe?” question. I am writing instructions on how to strip down two different types of firearms, a 12 gauge shotgun as well as a .45 caliber pistol. Since I am choosing to write this type of instruction set the very first part of my document tells how to make sure the guns are safe. I also think that you may want to explain the hazards that can be present with all the tools involved in putting up a shelf. I think the survey route will be good for your type of instructions. The questions you posted should be good ones in terms of the information you will receive from the feedback of your peers.
Saftey First...
I like that you used the question “is it safe?” When I read the articles, I was not sure if that really applied to our project until now. When dealing with tools and other related hardware, it is very important to focus your instructions around safety especially for the novice audience. In addition, I liked that your survey contains questions on safety.
You also do a good job on asking questions on the other three fundamental questions given in the readings. You have a good balance of questions for the reader to supply you with appropriate feedback that will be valuable for future editing.
Take caution when instructing
I think that using the survey method will work nicely for you because even though some people are very familiar with tools and carpenter type work, there are also a great deal of people that are totally clueless about it, so you definitely want to make sure that you do not leave out a crucial step. Also working from the question of “is it safe” is a very good idea for your particular instructions because someone who is not familiar with tools and carpenter type work could very easily hurt themselves if the steps are not accurately explained, and if proper cautions are not given.