Making mistakes is an integral part of how we humans live and grow.
We stumble when we learn to walk, we're messaging the wrong person and pressing the wrong buttons when using a new interface.
Surprise, this is not about to change.
As designer, we must bear this in mind when design. Our interfaces should aim to prevent errors which happen. The design should also minimize the negative impact errors when they occur and provide means of solve them if possible.
The alleviation of human error, whether design or intrinsically human, continues to be the most important problem aerospace is facing
Jerome F. Lederer
But is to err really human? It is Don Norman who answers the question: Yes, but we must know what led to the error!
Most of the time when an error occurs, a witch hunt is organized to find the culprit. But the real cause of the error is not the user, but the design that led him to make this error.
Our mental representations and our technical abilities influence how we use a mobile site or application. Factors linked to the context also come into play: consultation on the sofa in the living room or from a chairlift, an arm in a sling or a few glasses behind the tie...
Many reasons can complicate a seemingly easy task. Users will get off course and risk giving up. Error management therefore consists of avoiding uncontrolled skids and facilitating the return in the event of a runway excursion.
Manage the machine!
When designing an experience based on a machine, it must be taken into consideration that the latter is not infallible.
Do not hesitate to accompany the user in the waiting and loading times.
Affordances & Constraints
Use the knowledge your users have of other products to establish a baseline. That's why it's a good idea to rely on already established usability patterns.
Buttons should clearly indicate that they are buttons, like doors should clearly indicate whether you should pull or push etc.
Embody your Call To Action!
Giving a glimpse of the future
Allow users to preview the action what they are about to do before making the final decision can avoid the mistake.
Giving the user the ability to preview the changes that will occur is a powerful technique to avoid unexpected results.
Prevent is better than cure
To deal with short attention spans and deadlines, use smart notifications and checklists. Promptly reminding that action is required can provide your users with a great user experience and protect them from deadline errors.
Remember, users live in a world full of distractions, especially for mobile applications. Be sure to design with the context of use in mind. If you detect that one of your users is heading towards a big or small mistake, reach out to them.
Know how to forgive
The power of Ctrl+z is enormous! Whenever possible, design a product that forgives errors and allows the user to undo the actions that led them to do so.
Whenever possible, create a safety net. Confirmation message, parachute systems all these elements can be real lifebuoys.
We often look for success where we should find mistakes!
You like me need recognition and treated as human beings when using a website or application. Human beings are fallible.
Preventing errors and facilitating their correction simply means taking into account the humanity of users.
Simon, UX-Designer @UX-Republic
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