Intelligibility

Unclear task goal

What is it?

Understanding the goal of a task helps users find the motivation to complete it. Whether the goal is intrinsically or extrinsically motivated, lack of clarity about its nature and value can leave users wondering why they should invest time and effort. When a product fails to show users how their effort contributes to the outcome of a task, they often spend some of their cognitive resources wondering why they're working toward that goal. This is especially true if the task itself is complex or lengthy. This lack of clarity can lead to feelings of confusion and frustration. Ultimately, users might struggle to complete the task efficiently, accurately, or entirely.

Examples

Unclear value of a task

Underlying principles

Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

Guiding questions

Are users motivated to work on this task?

Are users motivated to work on this task?

Are users motivated to work on this task?

What is the goal of this task?

What is the goal of this task?

What is the goal of this task?

What is the purpose of each step in this workflow?

What is the purpose of each step in this workflow?

What is the purpose of each step in this workflow?