Make a session warning understandable and actionable

What to change

Ask the supplier to explain any necessary session limit and demonstrate an appropriate warning and continuation interaction.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A portal warning offers Continue session and explains what happens if it expires. Activating it returns the visitor to the unfinished question with their input intact.

How to check the result

Accept when the warning can be discovered and acted on, and both extension and expiry follow the described behaviour.

A mistake to avoid

A countdown graphic alone may convey urgency without telling the visitor what they can do or which work will be affected.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordIn a test account, allow the warning to appear while focus is in a form field. Check it identifies what is at risk and the available action.Use keyboard and screen reader interaction to continue the session where supported. Ask the supplier to verify that the action actually extends the intended session.Let the warning expire in a separate test. Compare the resulting message, retained state and return route with what the warning promised.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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