Where should any warnings or cautions be placed in a set of instructions?

Placing warnings or cautions just before the respective steps in a set of instructions is the most effective approach because it ensures that users are immediately aware of any potential hazards or important information at the exact moment they need it. This placement enhances user safety and comprehension by allowing them to consider the warning in the context of the task they are about to perform.

Warnings and cautions should be directly relevant to the actions that follow, thereby minimizing the likelihood of accidents or mistakes. This clear positioning helps to prioritize critical information right before the user undertakes a related action. For example, if a specific step requires the use of a potentially dangerous tool, providing a caution at that point ensures the user is fully informed of the risks just before they engage with it.

In contrast, placing warnings in the introduction may cause users to overlook or forget them by the time they reach the relevant section of the instructions. Including them in an appendix could lead to even less visibility, as users might not consult the appendix when following the steps. Therefore, the optimal strategy is to position warnings or cautions in close proximity to the corresponding instructions for maximum effectiveness and safety.