Bridging the Gulf of Execution and Evaluation in UI Design

One of the biggest takeaways from the reading is how the gulf of execution and evaluation tie in with the 7 action steps in user experience design. These concepts help us understand how users interact with a system, from forming goals to interpreting results. In this blog, I’ll demonstrate how these principles play out in designing a password input field with effective user feedback.

The Importance of Feedback

User feedback is critical in reducing friction and helping users achieve their goals. Poor feedback—such as vague or overly technical error messages—can leave users feeling frustrated or even helpless. On the other hand, clear, actionable feedback keeps users engaged and enables them to correct mistakes efficiently.

Visualizing Proper Feedback

The wireframe above illustrates an example of proper and improper user feedback for a password input field:

• Improper Feedback: Simply stating “Error!!!” without further information is a poor design choice. This leaves the user unsure about what went wrong or how to fix it. They might try random guesses or abandon the task entirely.
• Proper Feedback: A better approach provides clear, actionable guidance. For example, informing the user that their password must include a capital letter and a number allows them to understand the issue and make corrections easily. This creates a loop of trial and success, keeping users motivated and on track.

Applying the 7 Action Steps

The 7 action steps—goal formation, intention, specification, execution, perception, interpretation, and evaluation—are integral to designing intuitive feedback. For the password input example:

• Goal Formation: The user’s goal is to create a valid password.
• Execution: The user inputs a password based on their assumptions.
• Evaluation: Proper feedback helps the user interpret whether their action met the goal and what steps are needed for success.

Final Thoughts

Good feedback is the bridge that closes the gulf of execution and evaluation. It not only improves usability but also fosters a sense of empowerment for the user. As designers, it’s our job to ensure that every interaction feels intuitive, meaningful, and—most importantly—fixable.