Design Pattern: Make Short Critical Paths

User Need

I need to be able to find features and content easily.

How it Helps

Streamlining processes and workflows reduces distractions, mistakes, and mental fatigue. Using short critical paths increases the chance that users with cognitive and learning disabilities can successfully and accurately complete a process or task and navigate a workflow.

For example, a user with early stage dementia is trying to buy a new phone. Before they can pay, steps are added offering them headphones and other items. They become overwhelmed and confused. They leave the site without buying the phone.

Examples

Use:

1. Processes that only require necessary steps.
   • For example: The steps included in the online process to buy movie tickets are:
     • select a movie,
     • select the date and time,
     • select seats,
     • pay,
     • print or save tickets.

     The movie theater allows the user to view descriptions about the movie and ratings, buy snacks ahead of time, and donate to a charity. These actions, or steps, are not required in order for the user to complete the task of purchasing a movie ticket. Instead of requiring the user make these selections as part of the purchasing process, the user is given these options before the process is started and after it is complete.

2. Short navigation to key features. For example, for the most used function in an app:
   • open the app,
   • run the most used function.

Avoid:

1. Adding unnecessary steps. For example, the steps included in the online process to buy movie tickets are:
   • select a movie,
   • select the date and time,
   • select seats,
   • purchase snacks ahead of time or opt out,
   • make a charitable donation or opt out,
   • create an account,
   • pay,
   • print tickets.

The movie theater forces users to decide on snacks and make a charitable donation before paying for their tickets. While an opt out option is available, it is somewhat hidden on the screen, particularly on mobile devices, and users often stop when they cannot figure out how to pay.

2. Long navigation for the most used features. For example, for the most used function in an app:
   • go to the applications introduction page, press continue,
   • go to the applications main page,
   • go to a sub page,
   • select an option,
   • select another option,
   • run the most used function.

Related Information

User Story

• Distractions:

Personas

• Alison: An Aging User with Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Gopal: A Retired Lawyer with Dementia
• Kwame: A Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor
• Sam: A Librarian who has a Hemiplegia and Aphasia

Reference

• Cognitive Accessibility Glossary