Robin Blandford [ ByteSurgery.com - Digital Media Engineering ]

11/07/08 Use 3 for instructions, 2 for decisions.

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES - So I agree with the rule of 3 (IQ Content have a great post today) in every case except decisions. I’m reading Chip & Dan Heath: Made to Stick at the moment and it’s clear that decisions in the real world (Decisions For Heroes) and online (sign-up forms) should be restricted to just two options. Three clouds it.

In a study in the book, students were given two options “Go to an admired author signing” or “Go to library to study as normal”. An overwhelming number went to the signing.

Another group were given a third option, “Go to a rock concert”. An overwhelming number of students got clouded by the third option and choose to do neither of the new things and looked for comfort in their usual “Go to library to Study”.

So - when it comes to decision time, clear the air, reduce it down to just 2 options.

-Robin.

(Image Credit: I got to play with a OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) in MIT. Very cool. Very usable. All open source. They have a give one get one programme coming which will be at about $400 per unit.)

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