Human Processing Capacity:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              WORKING MEMORY                          │
│                                                      │
│    Capacity: 7 ± 2 items simultaneously             │
│    Duration: ~20 seconds without rehearsal          │
│    Processing: Serial, not parallel                 │
│                                                      │
│    When exceeded → Errors, frustration, abandonment │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Design goal: Stay WITHIN capacity limits.

Total Cognitive Load = Intrinsic + Extraneous + Germane

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    WORKING MEMORY CAPACITY                       │
├─────────────────┬─────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┤
│   INTRINSIC     │   EXTRANEOUS    │          GERMANE            │
│                 │                 │                             │
│   Task          │   Bad design    │   Learning &                │
│   complexity    │   noise         │   schema building           │
│                 │                 │                             │
│   Can't reduce  │   ELIMINATE     │   MAXIMIZE                  │
│   without       │   THIS          │   THIS                      │
│   changing task │                 │                             │
└─────────────────┴─────────────────┴─────────────────────────────┘

Common Sources of Extraneous Load:

Visual:
├── Cluttered layouts
├── Poor typography
├── Inconsistent patterns
└── Distracting animations

Interaction:
├── Unclear navigation
├── Unexpected behaviors
├── Too many options
└── Hidden functionality

Content:
├── Jargon and complexity
├── Redundant information
├── Missing context
└── Poor information hierarchy

Task Decomposition:

[Main Task]
├── Step 1: [Action] → Load type: [I/E/G]
│   └── Decisions required: [count]
├── Step 2: [Action] → Load type: [I/E/G]
│   └── Decisions required: [count]
├── Step 3: [Action] → Load type: [I/E/G]
│   └── Decisions required: [count]
└── Completion

Intervention Strategy:

High Intrinsic Load?
├── YES → Break into smaller steps
├── YES → Add progressive disclosure
├── YES → Provide scaffolding/help
└── YES → Offer simplified path

High Extraneous Load?
├── YES → Remove unnecessary elements
├── YES → Improve visual hierarchy
├── YES → Simplify navigation
└── YES → Fix inconsistent patterns

Low Germane Load?
├── YES → Add meaningful feedback
├── YES → Create learnable patterns
├── YES → Design for skill building
└── YES → Connect to existing knowledge

## Cognitive Load Analysis

**Feature/Flow:** [Name]

**Date:** [Date]

### Task Map

| Step | Description | Intrinsic    | Extraneous   | Germane      |
| ---- | ----------- | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ |
| 1    | [Step]      | High/Med/Low | High/Med/Low | High/Med/Low |
| 2    | [Step]      | High/Med/Low | High/Med/Low | High/Med/Low |

### Load Issues Identified

#### Intrinsic Load Problems

- [Issue]: [Location]
- [Issue]: [Location]

#### Extraneous Load Problems

- [Issue]: [Location]
- [Issue]: [Location]

### Recommendations

| Priority | Change            | Expected Impact       |
| -------- | ----------------- | --------------------- |
| High     | [Specific change] | [Reduces X load by Y] |
| Medium   | [Specific change] | [Reduces X load by Y] |

### Success Metrics

| Metric               | Current | Target |
| -------------------- | ------- | ------ |
| Task completion rate | X%      | Y%     |
| Time to complete     | X min   | Y min  |
| Error rate           | X%      | Y%     |
| User satisfaction    | X       | Y      |

Load Optimization:

Intrinsic:  Minimal - just type what you want
Extraneous: Near zero - white space + search box
Germane:    Focus on learning query refinement

Result: 2-3x faster searches than competitors

New User Experience:
├── Basic: Messaging interface only
├── Intermediate: Threading, channels
├── Advanced: Integrations, workflows
└── Enterprise: Admin controls

Each level builds on previous knowledge (germane load)
without overwhelming new users (extraneous load).

System-wide Patterns:

Gestures:
├── Swipe from left = back (everywhere)
├── Pull down = refresh (everywhere)
├── Long press = more options (everywhere)
└── Pinch = zoom (everywhere)

Consistency eliminates extraneous load.
Users learn once, apply everywhere.

COGNITIVE LOAD CHECKLIST

Intrinsic Load Management:
□ Tasks broken into 3-5 step chunks
□ Progressive disclosure for complexity
□ Different paths for different expertise
□ Builds on familiar concepts

Extraneous Load Elimination:
□ Clear visual hierarchy
□ Consistent interaction patterns
□ No unnecessary decorative elements
□ Logical information architecture

Germane Load Optimization:
□ Clear feedback on all actions
□ Patterns that transfer across features
□ Onboarding builds mental models
□ Advanced features reward learning

Testing:
□ Task completion measured
□ Error rates tracked
□ User confusion points identified
□ Learning curve improving over time