Feedforward

Design information that tells users what to expect before they take an action, guiding them toward intended functionality by communicating expected results. Unlike feedback (which confirms what happened after an action), feedforward helps users form correct expectations and make informed choices. Examples include button labels that describe outcomes, placeholder text showing expected input formats, and preview features. Feedforward is particularly valuable for users with limited prior knowledge of a technology, serving as "knowledge in the world" that compensates for missing "knowledge in the head."