Ollert Project Deletion Flow

Crafting clear, consequence-focused microcopy for destructive actions

Context

Action: Deleting a project in Ollert, a project management tool.

Impact: Irreversible deletion of tasks, reports, and rules associated with the project.

Requirements:

Clear and concise messaging.
Emphasis on the irreversible nature of the action.
Inform the user about all data that will be lost.
Provide a clear choice between deletion and keeping the project.

Tools: Figma, Google Translate (to test for localisation constraints)

Information Hierarchy

Clear, direct headline "Delete this project?"
Consequences broken into two distinct messages for better scanning
Visual warning icon reinforces the serious nature
Primary action (Delete) separated from secondary action (Keep project)

Clarity and Tone

Professional, straightforward language without humor
Active voice emphasizing user ownership ("You'll lose...")
Specific enumeration of affected items ("tasks, reports, and rules")
Clear finality statement ("You can't recover them once you delete")

Visual Design & Friction

Red warning color appropriately signals destructive action
Secondary action ("Keep project") provides clear escape route
Modal overlay creates focused attention
Rounded button shapes maintain app's friendly personality while content remains serious

A/B Testing opportunities

1. Button copy variations:

"Delete project" vs current "Delete"
"Cancel" vs current "Keep project"

2. Warning message ordering:

Testing if leading with "You can't recover" creates better awareness

Key Learnings

When designing friction for destructive actions, the key is finding the sweet spot between adequate warning and unnecessary obstacles.

This solution achieves that by focusing on clear consequences while maintaining a professional, direct tone that respects both the user's time and the seriousness of the action.