Understanding the Noun-Verb-Action Navigation Model

Owned by Phillip Hanegan
Last updated: Apr 30, 2024
3 min read

The Noun-Verb-Action (NVA) model is a fundamental concept within EmpowerID, designed to enhance user navigation and interaction by simplifying access to various tasks and resources. This overview introduces the core components of the NVA model—nouns, verbs, and actions—and explains how they collectively facilitate a flexible and intuitive user interface.

Core Components of the NVA Model

  • Nouns: Represent resource objects within EmpowerID, such as "Mailboxes" or "Business Roles." These are the primary entities users interact with within the application.

  • Verbs: Indicate the operations that can be performed on nouns, such as "Create," "Delete," or "Move." Verbs define the possible actions related to resource objects.

  • Actions: These are the outcomes or results that occur when a verb is applied to a noun. They complete the interaction loop by specifying the end result of the operations initiated by the users.

Adapting to User Preferences

The NVA model supports both object-oriented and task-oriented user preferences, allowing all users to navigate the system efficiently:

  • Task-oriented users might navigate using sequences like "Create > Mailbox," focusing on the action first.

  • Object-oriented users might prefer "Mailbox > Create," starting with the object and selecting the action.

Customization and Flexibility

While EmpowerID provides a set of default nouns, verbs, and actions, the system also allows for extensive customization. Users can define custom combinations tailored to their organizational needs, enhancing resource management and operational efficiency.

Visualizing NVA Paths

The diagram below illustrates the dual pathways for task-oriented and object-oriented users, leading to a unified set of actions. This visualization underscores the adaptability of the NVA model, showcasing how it can support various user strategies within the same framework.

 

 

Conclusion

The Noun-Verb-Action model is a cornerstone of the EmpowerID architecture, offering structured yet flexible navigation options that cater to diverse user needs. Understanding this model is essential for all EmpowerID users and administrators to optimize their interaction with the system.

Quick Takes

  • Was primary user interface navigation in EmpowerID 2014

  • Now used in many pages as supporting navigation

  • Classify UI Actions, which are pages or workflows with a Noun and a Verb

  • Clicking on a Noun shows all Verbs where the person has access to a UI Action that is a combination of that Noun with those Verbs

  • Clicking on a Verb shows all Nouns where the person has access to a UI action that is a combination of that Verb with those Nouns

  • The Action pane on Find pages show Actions for a Noun. So, for example, the Actions pane on the Find Person page shows Actions that can be performed against a Person, such as Add Person to Groups.

    Find Person Page Showing Actions Pane with Noun = Person





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