Experience · Software component

On-Demand Explanation Expander

Software componentExperienceExperience & Human Oversightarc:OnDemandExplanationExpander

An expansion controller that reveals deeper explanation layers only when the user activates controls such as 'Show More Details', 'Technical View' toggles or collapsible step indicators.

Responsibility. Expands explanation layers upon explicit user request.

Also known as: Passive explanation, Show More button, Technical View toggle, Collapsible step cascade

Variant of Explanation Expansion Controller abstract

When to choose. Choose when users can be expected to seek detail themselves (low time pressure, routine or low-stakes decisions); insufficient alone because users rarely seek additional information spontaneously.

Direct neighbourhood (hover for relationship types)

Relationships

is invoked by dependency

End User Ch10.5

alternative to variability

Proactive Explanation Expander Ch10.5

Design guidance

SHOULD NOT be relied on as the sole disclosure path under time pressure or cognitive load (passive discovery fallacy).

Classification

Patterns: Reactive disclosureCollapsible step indicators
Quality attributes: Interaction capability (ISO/IEC 25010)
Risks mitigated: Cognitive overload

Sources

Ch10.5: T. Nguyen, "Human-over-the-Loop," in Mastering Agentic AI Systems: Guide for the NVIDIA NCP-AAI Exam, 1st ed. 2026, ch. 10.5. ISBN: 9798244538229.