Quickly change row status

Question

I have a table of items that each have a particular status color icon. The users will need a quick method to change this status. I imagine click on the status icon an picking the new status. However, I can't seem to nail down how they pick the status. Do I bother to display the current status in the list? Should I just use a drop down list? Would clicking a link to directly change the status rather than displaying a radio button/close button combo be more intuitive?

Here's my current idea (poorly mocked up with paint.net):

Edit: Thanks everyone for suggestions. I've gone with some suggestions from @kalessin. Here's the final version:

Answer 1

I think the mock-up is probably the best way of implementing a change of status; just make sure the pop-up appears quickly.

If you're using the <label> element with the radio buttons, there's no need for a link as the radio buttons will be selected automatically when their labels are clicked.

To make it as efficient as possible, you should close the pop-up once the status has been changed. You should also always display every status option, even the current one. That way, experienced users will always know where to click without reading the labels, as their relative positions won't change.

Answer 2

How about something like this? Its a very rough visual. The idea I'm trying to convey is that you could use a slider bar to chose between options.

Answer 3

I'd just go with a select box that's always visible. Everyone knows you can click on it to get more options. You really have no way of knowing you can click those little status indicators in the first place.

If you are fond of the indicators I'd take a look at how gmail handles their label options. I definitely think the active state should be listed ( with a checkbox ). I know I find myself selecting the active option as a way of getting something out of the way sometimes. I think the radio buttons are a bad choice: it seems to take a way a lot of what you can actually click.