Aglet

Investigate why an empty state misleads users

Investigation should map each legitimate empty cause to rendered copy and an appropriate next action. Use controlled records and roles to distinguish missing data from filtering, setup, delay, or unavailable scope.

Build a useful investigation brief

  1. Build an empty-state matrix

    List page, role, project, filters, data presence, processing state, lifecycle, and rendered heading, copy, and links. Mark branches that currently share a message despite different user decisions.

  2. Trace the decision path

    Follow query construction, policy result, record loading, view branch, and link target for each state. Identify where information is discarded or where a generic fallback replaces a known cause.

  3. Test neighboring states

    Compare one matching record, one filtered-out record, one pending record, and one unavailable scope where safe. Check whether clear filters, setup, wait, or access language matches the evidence.

What to carry forward

The brief should identify the empty branch that loses meaning, its query or policy boundary, affected contexts, and proposed copy decision. Conclude data absence, filter handling, setup state, delay, access, or unresolved. Trace query parameters, scoped associations, lifecycle flags, policy checks, and presenter branches, then compare one known record and one filtered-out record with the empty response.

Keep the decision with the work.

Use a Work Item in Aglet to record the problem, the evidence you have, and the next decision. Add an owner and priority, then keep updates in the discussion so the next person can follow the reasoning.

Create an account See the product workflow