User Experience Research
Investigating Cognitive Load Through UX Research
This prompt helps teams design a user experience (UX) research study to measure and evaluate the cognitive load users experience while interacting with a product. It focuses on identifying areas of complexity and simplifying workflows to improve usability and reduce mental effort.
Responsible:
Product Design
Accountable, Informed or Consulted:
Design, Product, Engineering
THE PREP
Creating effective prompts involves tailoring them with detailed, relevant information and uploading documents that provide the best context. Prompts act as a framework to guide the response, but specificity and customization ensure the most accurate and helpful results. Use these prep tips to get the most out of this prompt:
Identify workflows or features where users are likely to experience cognitive strain.
Prepare prototypes or live versions of the product for testing.
Define success metrics, such as task completion rates or perceived complexity levels.
THE PROMPT
Help design a UX research study to investigate the cognitive load users experience while interacting with [specific product, feature, or workflow]. Focus on:
Task Complexity: Measuring how complex or mentally taxing specific tasks feel to users.
Observational Insights: Using think-aloud protocols and screen recordings to identify moments of hesitation, confusion, or overthinking.
Performance Metrics: Capturing data like error rates, time on task, and task completion success as indicators of cognitive load.
User Feedback: Gathering qualitative insights from post-task surveys or interviews to understand perceived difficulty.
Recommendations: Identifying ways to simplify workflows, streamline interfaces, or reduce decision fatigue to improve usability.
Provide detailed recommendations for structuring the research, including tools (e.g., Lookback, UsabilityHub, Maze) and methods for analyzing results. If additional details about the product’s complexity or target users are needed, ask clarifying questions to refine the suggestions.
Bonus Add-On Prompts
Propose techniques for visualizing cognitive load data, such as heatmaps or complexity ratings.
Suggest methods to test whether simplifying UI elements reduces user mental effort.
Highlight ways to prioritize tasks or screens that contribute most to cognitive overload.
Use AI responsibly by verifying its outputs, as it may occasionally generate inaccurate or incomplete information. Treat AI as a tool to support your decision-making, ensuring human oversight and professional judgment for critical or sensitive use cases.
SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE
Focus on specific types of tasks, such as data entry or navigation.
Include scenarios with varying levels of guidance to evaluate user autonomy.
Propose testing cognitive load in real-world vs. controlled environments.
Highlight strategies for simplifying decision points and interface design.
Add recommendations for comparing cognitive load across different user segments.
WHEN TO USE
To identify and address complex areas of a product’s user experience.
During iterative design to streamline workflows and reduce friction.
When users report feeling overwhelmed or confused during interactions.
WHEN NOT TO USE
If the product is straightforward with minimal cognitive demands.
When focusing solely on aesthetic design rather than task efficiency.