Maintain Focus

As a user who has difficulty concentrating, I need to maintain focus, so that I can get things done.

Overview

Web site users can only do one thing at a time. Removing unnecessary information allows them to focus on the main task and get things done.

Example 1

In the following example the main task is setting up a student account.

There is a lot of information. But is it all essential?

Screenshot of web page with content and a section titled useful links
Example 1: Set up your student account

Types of information

Essential information

  • Users will need their 'Name' and 'Student ID number', because without them you they set up an account.

Non-essential information

  • Users cannot access email until they have set up your account, so why link to 'University email'?
  • Users might need 'help setting up your my.unimelb account', but they haven't started yet
  • Users wouldn't want to 'forget your password', but they don't have one yet
  • Users might need to 'wait up to 24 hours', but they haven't set up their account yet

Note

  • Some information may be relevant to users, but not right now.

Example 2

In the following example, non-essential information has been removed. Which do you prefer?

Screenshot of web page with content and a section titled useful links
Example 2: Set up a your student account (without distractions)

Deciding what is essential

Tip 1 - Summarize the user task

Narration is a great method of sorting out the important facts. When we tell a story we automatically filter out information that the listener doesn't need to hear.

Using Example 1, imagine that you have already set up your own student account and want to help a friend to set up theirs. What would you tell them?

A possible set of instructions might be:
"You go to the web site. You click on a button to set up your account. You put in the ID number they gave you. Then your account gets created."

Tip 2 - Estimate time

Think about how long you would expect someone to be on a page.

When filling in a multi-part form, someone might spend 30 seconds per page. When reading an article it might take 5 minutes.

Tip 3 - Make a timeline

Make a list of the steps that the user might have to go through, in order.

Only include information as it is needed.

Example 1 could be broken down as follows:

Step 1

Go to web page

Step 2

Click on 'Start setting up account' button

Step 3

Enter name and ID number

Step 4

Get help if there are problems

Step 5

Finish setting up account

Step 6

Remember your password

Step 7

Wait for account to be activated

Step 8

Access email

Exercise

How many non essential items can you identify on this page?