Pattern 16B: Feedback: Convey the consequences of user actions after the user takes action

Problem

The user needs to know how their actions impact the system.

Solution

Communicate to the user how the action they just took impacts experience with the system and/or implement the consequences of user actions immediately.

Use when

Low-stakes consequences.
Easy to undo.
To complement pattern G16-A for high stakes consequence.
User actions (explicit or implicit feedback) impact the decisions made by the AI.

How

The system should respond immediately to the user’s action by:

Describing the impact of the user’s action on the system.
Taking immediate action.

If using a description:

Confirm the system received the user’s action and convey how the action impacts the system.
Make clear the scope of the impact on:
The individual user.
All users of the system.

Describe consequences as specifically as possible, ranging from specific immediate changes to generic future changes.

Match the communication’s attention-getting characteristics to the severity of the consequences.

If taking immediate action, ensure this is apparent to the user and consider whether to also use a description.

User benefits

Gives the user the peace of mind of knowing the system registered the user’s action.
Enables the user to benefit from the action immediately.

Common pitfalls

Communication sets vague or misleading expectations.
The system does not improve or does not improve fast enough.
The system took an action, but it is unnoticeable to the user.

Adapt patterns G11-C: Present properties of system outputs, G11-D: Map system input attributes to system outputs, and G11-E: Map user behaviors to system outputs to explaining the user’s action instead of the system’s action.

Notes

Explicit feedback is information the user intentionally provides for system improvement.

Implicit feedback is information the system garners from user actions to improve itself.