effective feedback design

Effective Feedback DesignD i s c u s s i o n \ u s a b i l i t y

What is responsive application?

GOOD FEEDBACK MECHAN I SM

BETT ER RESPONSE T IME

What is responsive application?

RESPONS I VE WEB DES IGN

EFF IC I ENT ALGOR ITHMS

What is responsive application?

RESPONS I VE TO PLATFORM

UNBLOCK I NG U I OPERAT IONS

What is responsive application?

I t s imply means different things for different

people

H o w e v e r, o u t o f a l l , g o o d f e e d ba c k

i s c o n s i d e re d t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t

a s p e c t o f r e s p o n s i v e a p p l i c a t i o n …

B e c a u s e t h e s y s t e m i s c o n s i d e re d a s q u i c k

i f i t r e s p o n d s q u i c k l y t o u s e r s a c t i o n s i . e .

i t p ro v i d e s i m m e d i a t e f e e d b a c k .

A n d h u m a n s i n t e r a c t w i t h s u r ro u n d i n g

o b j e c t b y m e a n s o f f e e d b a c k .

ACT ION

FEEDBACK

B u t w h a t m a k e s a n e f f e c t i v e f e e d b a c k ?

O R

H o w c a n w e t e s t t h a t c e r t a i n f e e d b a c k i s

g o o d e n o u g h ?

B u t w h a t m a k e s a n e f f e c t i v e f e e d b a c k ?

O R

H o w c a n w e t e s t t h a t c e r t a i n f e e d b a c k i s

g o o d e n o u g h ?

“Every feedback has certa i n

qua l i ty attr ibutes that he lps to measure i ts effect iveness .

Complete1. Waiting itself is science.

2. Show detailed information in

progressive manner.

4 files uploaded

4 of 5 files uploadedBet t e r t h a n f i rs t two

I n comp l e t e & wors t

Intuitive1. Easy

2. Clear

3. Familiar

(5 - 2) / 4 *4 files uploaded

(5 - 2) / 4 *4 files uploadedNo deve l o p e r

favor i t e c ryp t i c mes s age p l e a s e !

Intuitive1. Easy

2. Clear

3. Familiar

Confu s i n g ! ! ! . Wha t i s wha t? Wh i c h o n e i s

ma s t e r p rogre s s ba r?

Intuitive1. Easy

2. Clear

3. Familiar

Bet t e r b u t e x t ra no i s e ca n be

avo i d e d

Accurate1. Error vs. Warning vs. Info.

2. Error itself erroneous.

I n a ccura t e e r ror mes s age l e a d s t o

confu s i o n for u s e r

Relational1. Should follow natural

analogy

2. Appropriate color codes

and icons

This is a warning message.

This is an error message.

This is a success message.Green a n d red a re n o t t h e s ame co l o rs .

Don ’ t m i x t h em .

Immediate1. Most crucial part

2. Gives true feeling of

responsiveness

3. Feedback now, not later

Immediate1. “The inconsistencies in the interface between apps and the occasional lag doing simple things like

scrolling in windows just screamed at me.” – James Kendrick (2011)

2. “That having been said, it unfortunately remains the case that Android [Ice Cream Sandwich] isn’t

as swift and responsive as iOS or Windows Phone (or even MeeGo Harmattan on the N9).”

“The subtle, pervasive lag that has characterized the Android UI since its inception is still there,

which is not a heartening thing to hear when you’re talking about a super-powered dual-core

device like the Galaxy Nexus.” – Vlad Savov (2011)

3. “Android, on the other hand, has always felt laggy to me.” - Mike Rundle (2011)

What peop l e s ay when t h i n g s a re n o t

immed i a t e

Suggestive1. “Please enter date as

MM-DD-YY” is better

than “Invalid date

entered”.

User t ry i n g t o f i n d Goog l e o n Goog l e i s wha t h a p pe n s whe n s ugge s t i ve feedback i s n o t p rov i d e d

Concise1. KISSS – Keep It Simple,

Short and Silly.

2. Over clarification is a trap.

More feedback -> More Mass -> More instruction -> More alienation

Reassuring1. Don’t cause the user to

worry about problem.

2. Relax the user and

suggest the remedy.

I t d oe s n o t mea n s ay i n g s ome swee t

t h i n g s t o u s e r . However …

Reassuring

Comfor t t h e u s e r w i t h a s s u r i n g

feedback . Don ’ t ever s ay t h a t h e

h a s do n e s ome t h i n g per i l o u s .

S o m e t i p s f o r r e p o r t i n g f e e d b a c k …

Error reporting1. Acknowledgement: An error has occurred.

2. Location: Where the error has occurred.

3. Remedy: How the error can be repaired.

#3 fundamen ta l s t ra i t s of a ny e r ror mes s age . Prov i d e a s much a s you ca n b u t

remember K I SSS

Notification reporting1. Decide on severity of the

notification.

2. Choose between self closing

and manually closing

notification.

Catastrophic events1. Don’t just bring about any

surprised change.

2. Accompany it with proper

feedback message.

Ca ta s t roph i c eve n t s occur a s a re s u l t of u n i n t e n ded s i d e

effect of u s e r act i o n . For e xamp l e ,

pa ge red i rect i o n w i t h o u t a ny u s e r

act i o n .

Catastrophic events

On Ba secamp , whe n u s e r t r i e s t o

acce s s re source w i t h o u t

a u t h e n t i c a t i o n , u s e r i s re d i rect e d t o n ew

page a l o n g w i t h p rope r mes s age .

Personalization1. More important when user

engagement is expected.

2. Very useful in social media

and networking.

“ H i H a rs h a l ” i s a lways be t t e r t h a n

“ H i U s e r ” .

Harshal Patil

@softHarsh

http://definitelysimple.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/hapatil

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