# Cognitive Load Assessment

> Assess and reduce cognitive load in interfaces, flows, and content. Use when designing or reviewing any multi-step process, complex form, dashboard, decision flow, or information-dense screen. Triggers on: cognitive load, too complex, overwhelmed, too many steps, decision fatigue, confusing, information overload, simplify this flow. Applies to any interface where users must think, decide, or remember.

- Skill: `owl-listener/cognitive-load-assessment` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add owl-listener/cognitive-load-assessment`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/owl-listener/cognitive-load-assessment/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- Author: Owl Listener (https://skillmd.com/u/owl-listener)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/owl-listener/cognitive-load-assessment

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# Cognitive Load Assessment

Assess cognitive load across three dimensions and provide actionable
recommendations to reduce unnecessary burden on users.

## The Three Types of Cognitive Load

**Intrinsic load** — complexity inherent in the task itself.
A tax return is intrinsically complex. You cannot simplify the tax code.
Focus: break into manageable steps, provide context, explain terms.

**Extraneous load** — complexity added by the design, not the task.
Confusing navigation, unclear labels, inconsistent patterns, visual clutter.
Focus: eliminate ruthlessly. Every instance is a fixable design failure.

**Germane load** — effort invested in the actual task.
This is the load you WANT. The user engaging with their real goal.
Focus: maximise this by removing the other two.

## Assessment Framework

For each screen or step, evaluate:

| Dimension | Low (good) | Medium (review) | High (redesign) |
|-----------|-----------|-----------------|-----------------|
| Decisions required | 0–1 | 2–3 | 4+ |
| Items to remember | None | 1–2 | 3+ |
| New concepts to learn | None | 1 | 2+ |
| Steps to complete | 1–2 | 3–5 | 6+ |
| Reading complexity | Plain language | Some jargon | Dense/technical |
| Visual complexity | Clean, focused | Moderate | Cluttered |

**If any dimension rates High, that screen needs redesign before launch.**

## How to Assess

1. Walk through the flow as a user who is tired, stressed, and unfamiliar
2. At each screen, count: decisions, things to remember, new concepts
3. Note where you pause, re-read, or feel uncertain — those are load spikes
4. Map the load type: is the difficulty intrinsic or extraneous?
5. Recommend specific reductions for each extraneous load source

## Reduction Strategies

- **Progressive disclosure:** show only what the current step needs
- **Smart defaults:** pre-select the most common option
- **Chunking:** group into sets of 3–5 related items
- **Recognition over recall:** show options, don't make users remember
- **Persistent context:** show key selections throughout a flow
- **One primary action per screen:** de-emphasise secondary actions

## Output Format

Present the assessment as a screen-by-screen table showing load ratings,
followed by prioritised recommendations sorted by impact.