Concept, task, and reference topics serve different users at various stages: concepts provide background for newcomers, tasks deliver procedural steps, and references supply specific details needed during task execution.

Concept topics complement task topics in that they provide conceptual information about a product, system, or process, that task topics discuss in actionable steps. Before users complete a procedure outlined in a task topic, those new to a product may start by reading conceptual information in a related concept topic. On the other hand, users who know the product are unlikely to read conceptual information. Instead, they will go directly to procedural information in a task topic.

Reference topics also complement task topics in that they may provide details necessary to perform procedures. Reference topics are used by users who know the product but did not memorize very specific details provided in reference topics. For example, a table of parameter settings for a product. Such users will refer to those specific details as they complete steps of a procedure.

Task topics always contain steps that detail actions a user needs to perform and that are typically supported by additional information provided in paragraphs, notes, figures, and step results. The task can be accompanied by context, prerequisites, result of the task, postrequisites, or examples.