(Illustrated above) A scientist sees that each edge of her analysis application is a panel that can have different impacts on the central visualization area of the tool. One edge controls what data is being displayed, while another controls how selected data is visualized.

A financial trader’s new trading application presents four columns, each with a different purpose. The left column has tables that drive what is shown in the next two columns, while the right column shows market data and other trader’s action.

An architect discovers that her new building modeling application is organized by a series of different views of a project, with each view providing its own set of related functionality. Since the tool seems to have countless functions, she finds this organization method to be very clear and effective.

What interaction models are commonly found in the computing tools that targeted individuals currently use?

Which models are normally associated with the specific tasks and larger activities that your team is striving to mediate?

What larger design and technology trends could inform your ideation process on this important topic?

Which conventional interaction models could be well suited to the quantity and type of functionality concepts that your team is considering? What benefits could reusing these patterns have for your product’s success? What modifications might they require?

What advanced analogies to other types of products might your team draw upon when thinking about possible interaction models for your computing tool?

What types of interaction models could match the embedded conceptual models in your sketched application directions?

Which of your sketched functionality concepts could play a primary role in your interaction model choices? Which should probably not?

How might your team tailor typical interaction model features to better support and encompass certain functionality ideas?

What novel, or even iconoclastic interaction model concepts might you envision? How could these concepts embody valuable approaches for sense making, organization, and interactive flow in targeted work practices?

What could it be like to navigate through tasks and larger activities in the interaction models that your team is considering? Which models could be more likely to provide workers with a sense of compelling engagement and accomplishment?

How could requirements for multitasking, procedural efficiency, or instructional clarity influence your interaction model decisions? What impacts could different interaction model selections have on brand and branding approaches?

How might your interactive application scale in functionality over time? What impacts could these scaling scenarios have on your team’s interaction model choices?

Do you have enough information to usefully answer these and other envisioning questions? What additional research, problem space models, and design concepting could valuably inform your team’s application envisioning efforts?