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Gerhardt-Powals’ Cognitive Engineering Principles

note

There are a couple of additional principles in the original paper which sadly I can't access.

  1. Automate Unwanted Workload This principle involves reducing the cognitive load on users by automating repetitive or non-essential tasks. By removing these burdens, users can focus on more important and engaging aspects of their work.

  2. Provide for Uninterrupted Task Flow Ensuring that users can work through tasks without unnecessary interruptions or distractions is key to maintaining an efficient workflow. This principle is about creating a user experience that is smooth and cohesive.

  3. Reduce Uncertainty Users should feel confident in their actions and decisions when using a system. This principle aims to design systems that provide clear feedback and reduce ambiguity in the user interface.

  4. Fuse Data Data fusion involves integrating related data so that it is presented as a cohesive whole. This can help users to understand complex information more easily and make better-informed decisions.

  5. Present New Information with Meaningful Aids to Interpretation When presenting new information, it's important to provide context or aids that help users understand its relevance and significance. This can include visual aids, analogies, or explanatory text.

  6. Use Names that are Conceptually Related to Function The names of functions and features should be intuitively linked to their purpose. This helps users to navigate the system more easily and learn its features more quickly.

  7. Group Data Consistently Consistent grouping of data helps users to form mental models of information and understand the system's structure. This principle is about organising information in a logical and predictable manner.

  8. Limit Data-Driven Tasks Users should not be overwhelmed with tasks that require them to process large amounts of data. Instead, the system should assist with data processing and present users with actionable information.

  9. Include in Displays Only that Information Needed by the User at a Given Time To avoid information overload, displays should only show information that is immediately relevant to the user's current task. This helps to maintain focus and reduces cognitive strain.