Persistent Comparison List

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Problem Summary

Using a persistent comparison list allows a user to select and compare items from varied search result sets or views, such as items from different search results pages from the same inquiry and result set, or items from numerous search inquiries and result sets. The user is allowed to explore and navigate through multiple inquiries and search contexts while gathering items for comparison within and across inquiries over time.

Usages

Applications in which:

Users need to be able to discern differences among search result items.
Potential candidates for comparison may be displayed on different search results pages or be discovered within diverse sets of search results generated by multiple distinct searches/inquiries.
Users need to be able to create a temporary list of items for subsequent comparison.
Search result items may not show enough details to allow an adequate comparison.

Constraints and Challenges

Casual users frequently do not notice or understand how to use comparison tools.
Comparison of items that do not have a reasonable number of properties in common will not provide value for users.
Unless the application is designed to avoid it, maintaining a persistent list of items increases the potential for users to unintentionally create a comparison view of unlike items that are not well suited for comparison.
Conveying the "persistence" of the comparison list and making the list readily accessible while the user executes new searches/inquires and scans new result sets may be difficult.
In some contexts, it will be important to convey the distinction between a persistent comparison list/set and related "list" features (e.g., "Shopping Cart", "Bill of Materials", "Wish List"), etc.) and to define the interrelationships among these functions/features.

Solution Elements

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Provide a mechanism within each individual record on the search results page that allows a user to select the item for comparison.
- This is frequently accomplished with a check box, but other methods may be acceptable.
- If space allows, label the check box to clarify its function.
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Provide a visual indication within each record once an item has been selected for comparison.
- This may be as simple as a checked state of a check box, or it could be as explicit as a text message.
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Provide feedback messaging to the user for illegal/unavailable selections to provide guidance and clarity when:
- An item is not suitable for comparison to the other previously selected items (i.e., items are in distinct conceptual categories without a meaningful set of shared attributes relevant for comparison, e.g., televisions and toasters).
- The number of items that may be compared has been exceeded. In this case, provide the user with information telling him what the maximum number of items that may be included is, and let him know that his newest selection exceeds this amount.
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Provide feedback messaging to the user when items have successfully been added to the comparison list.
- Include a link for the user to activate the comparison mode.
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Display a list of records that have been selected for comparison.
- Provide a mechanism to activate the comparison view from the list of selections.
- Consider also including an activation method for comparison mode from within the records themselves.
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Provide a mechanism to remove items from the list.
- Items should be removable individually from within each product record in the search result list.
- From the comparison items list, provide a means to remove individual items as well as a way to remove all items.
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Optional: Enable the system to maintain multiple separate comparison lists for comparing different types of items (e.g., toasters to toasters, TVs to TVs).
- For this model to work, the records must fall into clearly defined categories with few or no shared attributes that would be meaningful and relevant for comparison.
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Optional: Remind the user what other items have been selected as each new item is added.
- This can be accomplished by:
  - Displaying a layover panel as each new item is selected to display all selected items.
  - Drawing attention to the list of items selected for comparison and highlighting the addition of the new item.
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Cautions

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Avoid using check boxes associated with each record without clear labels to define their functions.

Avoid using check boxes for comparison selection in such a way that pagination, refinement, or other manipulations of the result set will mean that selected items will not be added to the comparison list.

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Rationale

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Why maintain a persistent list of items for comparison?

Why maintain separate persistent lists of items for comparison?

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Related Patterns

Item Comparison

Persistent Comparison List

Problem Summary

Usages

Constraints and Challenges

Solution Elements

Provide a mechanism within each individual record on the search results page that allows a user to select the item for comparison.

Provide a visual indication within each record once an item has been selected for comparison.

Provide feedback messaging to the user for illegal/unavailable selections to provide guidance and clarity when:

Provide feedback messaging to the user when items have successfully been added to the comparison list.

Display a list of records that have been selected for comparison.

Provide a mechanism to remove items from the list.

Optional: Enable the system to maintain multiple separate comparison lists for comparing different types of items (e.g., toasters to toasters, TVs to TVs).

Optional: Remind the user what other items have been selected as each new item is added.

Cautions

Avoid using check boxes associated with each record without clear labels to define their functions.

Avoid using check boxes for comparison selection in such a way that pagination, refinement, or other manipulations of the result set will mean that selected items will not be added to the comparison list.

Rationale

Why maintain a persistent list of items for comparison?

Why maintain separate persistent lists of items for comparison?

Comments (0)

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