RFC: Consistent Rundown Activation Options for On Air Mode

[Saftret]

About Me

This RFC is posted on behalf of the BBC.

Use Case

Currently, the activation flow for “On Air” mode follows this logic:

flowchart TD
    A[Activate On-Air] --> B{Before Start Time?}
    B -- Yes --> C[Show Modal: 'Activate Rundown?']
    C --> D[Reset and Activate]
    B -- No --> E{Past end time?}
    E -- Yes --> F[Show warning modal]
    F --> G[Direct Activate]
    E -- No --> G[Direct Activate]

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In non-linear productions, where timing is less critical than in linear productions, the current flow can cause unintended disruptions, as it isn’t clear from the modal shown before the expected start time that the rundown will also reset. Whereas in a linear production the user may likely not be aware of this mechanism and is likely to perform a manual reset before activating anyway.

The goal is to provide a safer and more transparent activation process, by allowing users to decide if they want to reset and activate, or just activate the rundown while keeping the playhead position in place.

Proposal

To improve this experience, we propose updating the activation flow to offer the user a choice between Activate “On Air” and Reset and Activate “On Air”. The default action should be Activate ”On Air” to avoid an unintended rundown reset.

In all modals that currently trigger the resetAndActivate action, we propose updating the UI to show two options:

1. Activate “On Air” - Activates “On Air” mode without resetting the rundown.
2. Reset and Activate “On Air” - Activates “On Air” mode and resets the rundown.

By selecting Activate “On Air”, the playhead position remains and avoids any disruptive changes. Choosing Reset and Activate “On Air” proceeds with the existing reset-and-activate functionality for cases where users explicitly want to reset the rundown.

This change aims to improve the user experience by:

• Providing a non-disruptive default activation option.
• Allowing users to reset only when explicitly chosen.
• Keeping the behavior consistent in every phase of a production

Process

The Sofie Team will evaluate this RFC and open up a discussion about it, usually within a week.

• RFC created
• Sofie Team has evaluated the RFC
• A workshop has been planned
• RFC has been discussed in a workshop
• A conclusion has been reached, see comments in thread

[RannveigNC]

Hello!
Thanks for this RFC! Sorry for not replying sooner, we've been super busy for the past weeks.
Our initial thoughts on the suggestion is that it looks good, but we'll need some more time to check in with our producers.

I estimate that we should be able to get back to you with a definite reply on January the 17th.
/Rannveig (NRK Sofie team)

[RannveigNC]

Hello!

To folluw up the last response. Based on insight form users at NRK they are positive to the suggestion of having two buttons differentiating between «activate» and «reset and activate». However since «reset and activate» is what they use today it would be preferable for that button to be the primary button -> blue and on the bottom right. Would that be a possibility?

/Rannveig (NRK Sofie team)

[jstarpl]

I'm going to mark the RFC as concluded, but will keep this issue open until the corresponding PR is merged.