Don Norman’s Interlocks and Forcing Functions

Jim Rowan Georgia Gwinnett College ITEC 4130

Forcing Functions

  Things (either physical or virtual) that force behavior

  Come in the form of constraints –  Interlocks – Lock-Ins – Lock-Outs

Interlocks

Physically block one action by placing the first task in the way of the second

Forcing Function

  Lock-Ins – You can’t quit Powerpoint without either

saving your changes or intentionally disposing of them

Lockout