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This study has reviewed major design approaches for electronic performance support systems and identified two common problems: users' inability to comprehend screen-based material and poorly designed instructional scaffolds. This paper presents a design approach, called the 'matrix-aided performance system' (MAPS), which enables these problems to be avoided. The MAPS design framework incorporates Ausubel's theory of advance organizers and a matrix information display structure. The latter is derived from a thorough analysis of the knowledge domains relevant to a particular user's performance objectives and information needs. A multidimensional information display is then used in order to minimize user's navigational confusion. The paper discusses the MAPS design framework and provides two working examples of its use. The effectiveness and impact of our design approach has been field tested; the findings, design guidelines and some future research suggestions are presented.