User Assistants are software programs that prompt the customer for information about user's current system by examining system files and other sources of data; store information about the user in a repository for later retrieval or for access by other assistants; present customized instructions to the user on actions to take to complete planning, configuration, and management tasks; perform actions on behalf of the user (e.g., run programs, send e-mail requests, ship order forms) and track the user's progress through planning, configuration, and management tasks. The present invention provides customized output to support the implementation of a User Assistant. This output may be documentation, instructional steps, programs, or parameter files. This output is produced by combining product data, user input, and product rules.