Designing Out Disappointment
Research shows that the threat of disappointment is strongest when feedback is imminent—what van Dijk, Zeelenberg, & van der Pligt (2003)1 termed the temporal proximity of feedback in the Journal of Economic Psychology. As the “moment of truth” nears, individuals often lower expectations to shield themselves from disappointment. WallyLogs bridges this vulnerability by offering real-time, accessible feedback loops throughout home renovation projects. Features such as immutable change tracking, sentiment dashboards, and photo documentation ensure that homeowners and contractors receive immediate, objective updates on progress, costs, and communication tone. By shortening the feedback window and making it transparent, WallyLogs reduces uncertainty, allowing both parties to align their expectations in the moment rather than retroactively—transforming a key psychological risk factor into an opportunity for clarity.