Contents 4. System Behavior & Workflow Logic
How the system behaves over time, across steps, and in response to user action.
These determine whether the system works with the user or against them.
Mission statement
Ensure systems behave coherently over time, across steps, and in response to user actions, supporting work rather than obstructing it.
Subcategories
1.DefaultsWhat a system chooses on users’ behalf.“Do defaults in your system reliably help users without harming control or trust?”8 directives2.AnticipationWhat a system brings forward proactively.“Does your system surface the next likely need for users without commandeering?”8 directives3.AutonomyHow much control users retain.“Do users of your system retain meaningful control over consequential actions?”9 directives4.Error PreventionHow mistakes are avoided.“Is it easier for users of your system to perform correct actions than incorrect ones?”9 directives5.RecoveryHow mistakes are repaired.“Can users of your system recover from failure quickly without penalty or loss?”9 directives6.Work ProtectionHow effort is preserved over time.“Is user work protected in your system against interruption, failure, and error?”9 directives7.LatencyHow temporal constraints influence workflows.“Does your system preserve user momentum under delay?”9 directives