popup - Business application: Is it better to redirect or pop-up for re-authentication?

This question is geared for a line of business application someone would pay for, not a general public facing website.

Is it better to redirect for authentication/re-authentication or show a pop-up?

Some things to consider:

• They may be on a screen with data already entered.



• They may be in the middle of a work-flow, step 2-10.

Answer

Is it necessary to interrupt the user while they're in the middle of something? I think it would be better to wait until the current step is done. Two ways you can do that:

1. 
   

   Wait until they submit the form. Require authentication on an interstitial page, before continuing to the next step.

   
   


2. 
   

   Add the authentication to the bottom of the form.