Gulf of execution

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A Gulf of execution is a term usually used in human computer interaction to describe the gap between a user's goal for action and the means to execute that goal. Usability has as one of its primary goals to reduce this gap by removing roadblocks and steps that cause extra thinking and actions that distract the user's attention from the task intended, thereby preventing the flow of his or her work, and decreasing the chance of successful completion of the task. Similarly, there is a gulf of evaluation that applies to the gap between an external stimulus and the time a person understands what it means. Both phrases are mentioned in Donald Norman's 1986 book User Centered System Design:

This can be illustrated through the discussion of a VCR problem. A user would like to record a television show onto their VCR. They see this problem as simply pressing the 'Record' button. However in reality to record a show on a VCR several actions must be taken:

1) Press the record button. 2) Specify time of recording via the controls X, Y, and Z. 3) Select channel via the channel-up-down control. 4) Press the OK button.

The difference between the users perceived execution actions and the required actions is the Gulf of execution.