Make form progress reflect the current route

What to change

Choose a progress format that stays accurate for the available routes and explains newly introduced sections without implying completed work was lost.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A request journey identifies Contact details as the current section. If additional questions become necessary, the section list updates before the visitor enters them.

How to check the result

Accept when each route has an honest current position and visitors can distinguish completed, current and remaining sections.

A mistake to avoid

A precise percentage can be misleading when branching questions make the amount of remaining work unknown.

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 recordMap the shortest and longest paths through the form. Check the visible progress indicator at every transition, including optional and conditional sections.Navigate backwards and change the answer that alters the route. Ask the supplier to show how progress updates without falsely marking unvisited questions complete.Use a screen reader to inspect the current step and any step navigation. The active position should be distinguishable without relying only on colour.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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