How do you prioritize and categorize different types of errors in UI design?

1 Error prevention

Error prevention is the ability of a UI to prevent users from making mistakes or entering invalid data. Error prevention can be achieved by designing clear and consistent labels, instructions, feedback, and affordances. For example, a UI can prevent errors by using drop-down menus, radio buttons, or checkboxes instead of free-text fields, or by providing helpful hints or examples of valid inputs. Error prevention is a high-priority category because it reduces the need for error recovery and enhances user confidence and satisfaction.

2 Error recovery

Error recovery is the ability of a UI to help users recover from errors and resume their tasks. Error recovery can be achieved by designing informative and polite error messages, undo and redo functions, confirmation dialogs, and error logs. For example, a UI can help users recover from errors by explaining what went wrong, how to fix it, and how to avoid it in the future, or by allowing users to cancel, retry, or revert their actions. Error recovery is a medium-priority category because it mitigates the negative impact of errors and restores user trust and satisfaction.

3 Error severity

Error severity is the degree of impact that an error has on the user's goals, tasks, and emotions. Error severity can be measured by considering the frequency, persistence, and consequences of the error. For example, an error that occurs rarely, is easy to correct, and has minor effects is less severe than an error that occurs often, is hard to correct, and has major effects. Error severity is a key factor in prioritizing errors because it indicates the urgency and importance of fixing them.

4 Error rating

Error rating is the process of assigning a numerical value or a qualitative label to an error based on its severity and category. Error rating can help compare and rank errors and identify the most critical ones. Error rating can be done by using a scale or a matrix that combines error prevention and error recovery with error severity. For example, an error that is low in prevention and high in recovery and severity can be rated as 4 out of 5 or as serious, while an error that is high in prevention and low in recovery and severity can be rated as 1 out of 5 or as minor.

5 Error reporting

Error reporting is the process of documenting and communicating the errors found during heuristic evaluation. Error reporting can help inform and persuade the UI designers and developers to address the errors and improve the UI usability. Error reporting can be done by using a template or a format that includes the following elements: error description, error location, error rating, heuristic violated, and suggested solution. For example, an error report can state: "The password field does not indicate the minimum length or complexity requirements. This can cause users to enter invalid passwords and receive error messages. This error is rated as 3 out of 5 or as moderate. It violates the heuristic of visibility of system status. A possible solution is to display a password strength indicator or a list of password rules below the password field."

6 Error improvement

Error improvement is the process of applying the suggested solutions to the errors found during heuristic evaluation. Error improvement can help enhance the UI usability and user satisfaction. Error improvement can be done by following the best practices and guidelines for UI design and testing. For example, an error improvement can involve: redesigning the UI elements, labels, instructions, feedback, and affordances to prevent errors; redesigning the error messages, undo and redo functions, confirmation dialogs, and error logs to help users recover from errors; and conducting usability testing, user feedback, and heuristic evaluation to evaluate the effectiveness of the error improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?