Flow Analysis

• Map every step to complete key tasks—identify unnecessary steps
• Each step is a potential dropout—minimize count and friction
• Question every required field—if not essential now, defer or remove
• Identify points requiring user memory—provide recognition instead

Mental Model Alignment

• Use vocabulary users would expect—not internal/technical terms
• Match familiar patterns before inventing—innovation has learning cost
• Consistent metaphors throughout—don't mix paradigms in same product
• Align with platform conventions—users bring expectations from other apps

Friction Reduction

• Smart defaults reduce decisions—good default better than more options
• Pre-fill from available context—location, previous selections, account data
• Auto-save progress—never lose user work
• Don't ask for information already available—or not yet needed

Progressive Disclosure

• Show only what's needed for current task—hide advanced options until relevant
• Reveal complexity gradually—basic path first, power features discoverable
• Empty states guide to first action—not just "Nothing here"
• Teach by doing, not explaining—inline hints over tutorials

Feedback Design

• Every action gets acknowledgment—visual, haptic, or audible
• Progress indication for waits over 1 second
• Error messages: what happened + what to do next
• Success confirmation for significant actions

Error Prevention

• Design to prevent errors—constraints, confirmations, smart defaults
• Confirmation dialogs only for destructive/irreversible actions
• Undo available for reversible actions—reduces fear of exploring
• Inline validation catches errors before submission

Cognitive Load

• One primary action per screen—clear visual hierarchy
• Group related information—chunking aids comprehension
• Limit simultaneous choices—too many options cause paralysis
• Consistent patterns across product—learned once, applied everywhere

Edge Cases to Design

• Empty state: first time, cleared, filtered with no results
• Loading state: skeleton preferred over spinner for known layouts
• Error state: what went wrong, how to recover
• Partial state: some data available, some loading/failed
• Offline state: what works, what's queued, what's unavailable

Reversibility

• Trash over permanent delete—recovery possible
• Preview before commit—show effect of action
• Draft states for complex work—don't require completion in one session
• Settings and decisions easy to change—not buried or locked

Task Completion

• Define what success looks like for each flow
• First value delivered quickly—quick win before complex setup
• Clear next step always visible—no dead ends
• Completion feels complete—confirmation, celebration for big tasks

Accessibility Integration

• Keyboard/switch navigation works for all flows
• Screen reader announces what's needed—labels, states, updates
• Sufficient contrast without relying on color alone
• Respects user preferences—motion, text size, dark mode

Copy and Labels

• Button labels describe outcome—"Save Changes" not "Submit"
• Headings scannable—user finds what they need quickly
• Error text actionable—not just "Invalid input"
• Microcopy reduces uncertainty—helper text where questions arise

Consistency Checks

• Same words for same concepts—create glossary if needed
• Same interaction patterns—swipe/tap/long-press mean same things
• Visual similarity reflects functional similarity
• Exceptions rare and justified