Objective

The ReCITE Model was created as an objective lens for designers and business people to visualize the goals of the end user while solving design problems and meeting overall business objectives.

Overview

In order to meet the above objective, the ReCITE model looks at both the user and the interface from a vocational theory point of view; that if a website were performing an important professional task to help the end user, what would that task be? The ReCITE Model established four broad modalities, Connect, Inform, Transact and Excite (CITE). We then ask that these modalities be placed in a certain order asking the key question: where can the application not screw up? Which modality is front and centre?

Then, it’s a matter of placing in order the remaining three vocational objectives in terms of weight and priority. The model helps with decisions regarding information architecture as the model can be repeated (or recursive) on a section by section basis. Most of all the ReCITE Model reduces self-referential decision-making or the “I like” method.

The ReCITE Model begins with an interactive survey designed to cite real world comparisons to existing web properties or applications. This helps in the prioritizing and the weighting of user experience objectives or goals. It also identifies where clients and stakeholders differ in terms of the conceptual direction of the property. ReCITE is there to get agreement on what is the best experience for the end user to achieve their objectives since ultimately that’s where we can’t screw up.