#4 in my series, Design of Digital Machines Describes what an interaction model is, how it breaks down into workflows, visualization standards, and interaction modeling challenges.

1. Interaction Model
How do I use this thing?
№ 4, Design of Digital Machines
Tim Sheiner
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2. The four sub models of the machine
object model
Input Controller
Output
View Model
Digital Machine
interaction model data model
conceptual model
The interaction model corresponds most closely to the view.
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3. First, a definition:
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4. By a state of a system is meant any
well-defined condition or property
that can be recognized if it occurs
again. Every system will naturally
have many possible states.
Ashby, An Introduction to Cybernetics, 1956
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5. How do I make a change?
The interaction model defines how to manipulate system
state
๏ how do I interact with the system?
๏ what are the workflows?
๏ how can I influence outcome | output ?
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6. The union of two perspectives
Human Machine
Solution Application
Process Workflow
interaction
model
Steps Tasks
Actions Events
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7. In a nutshell...
action
interaction model
feedback
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8. The interaction model is
organized around workflows.
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9. Workflows are sequences of steps
1 2 3
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10. Steps have a duality
transformation transformation
1 transition
2 transition
3
action
feedback
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11. Steps have a duality
transformation transformation
1 transition
2 transition
3
action
steps have a duality:
feedback
➡ action/feedback
➡ transformation/transition
➡ input/output
➡ intent/outcome
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12. Workflows branch
Standard Case
1 2 or 3 4
3’
Error Case
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13. Workflows connect
Workflow A
1 2 or 3 4
3’
Output
Input
1 2 3
Workflow B
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14. What defines a workflow?
Desire for change
Change complete.
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15. What defines a workflow?
A Narrative
Beginning Middle End
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16. What defines a workflow?
A Transformation
Object Workflow Object’
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17. Workflows transform objects.
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18. A transformation is a change in state
e.g. object appearance
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19. A transformation is a change in state
2
1
3
e.g. object behavior
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20. A transformation is a change in state
e.g. object location
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21. A transformation is a change in state
$ $
Account 1 Account 2 Account 1 Account 2
e.g. object value
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22. The transformation is the change.
The transition is the feedback.
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23. Archetypal Workflows
๏ authentication
๏ content creation
๏ content management
๏ sharing
๏ permission management
๏ configuration management
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24. Authentication
Providing credentials in order to access content or
functionality
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25. Content Creation
Adding new information
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26. Content Management
Organizing information
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27. Sharing
Making content or resources available to others
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28. Permission Management
Controlling access to content or resources
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29. Configuration Management
Setting behaviors or preferences
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30. Communicating the Interaction Model
Several standard forms
๏ flow diagram
๏ written scenario
๏ storyboards
๏ wireframes
๏ prototypes
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31. Interaction Modeling Challenges
๏ Including the error model
when things go wrong what happens?
๏ Imagining the permutations
why prototyping is lowers design risk
๏ Understanding when & where state changes
operating on the object or operating on a copy?
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32. fin
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