Information Overload

• Information overload occurs when the amount of input to a system exceeds

its processing capacity.
• Decision makers have fairly limited cognitive processing capacity.
Consequently, when information overload occurs, it is likely that a reduction
in decision quality will occur.
• Designers often need to convey information to the users of their designs.
Specialists in information visualization design in particular find themselves
presenting data over and over again to their users.
• However, it’s important when developing your designs that you don’t create
“information overload” – that is presenting so much data that you leave the
user confused and/or unable to make a decision.
• Throughout history there have been complaints about information
overload particularly during the industrial revolution periods.
• However, the dawn of the information age and access to powerful and
low cost data collection on automated basis has brought us more
information than at any other point in history.
• Managing information in daily life is no longer restricted to a wealthy
elite but is a problem which faces nearly everyone. Social media, e-
mail, webpages, mobile apps, etc. all spill data into our lives daily.
The Causes of Information Overload
Today
• Huge volumes of new information being constantly created.
• Pressure to create and compete in information provision – leading to a quantity over quality
effect in many industries.
• The simplicity of creating, duplicating and sharing of information online
• The exponential increase in channels to receive information by; radio, television, print
media, websites, e-mail, mobile telephony, RSS feeds, etc.
• The increasing weight of historical data available to us
• High volumes of conflicting, contradictory and plain old inaccurate information.
• No simple methodologies for quickly processing, comparing and evaluating information
sources.
• A lack of clear structure in groups of information and poor clues as to the relationships
between those groups.
Avoiding Information Overload in Designs
• Keep things simple. The less information you present – the easier it is to understand.
• Keep it relevant. Information that actually meets the user’s needs is less likely to overwhelm.
• Keep it clear. Simplicity and relevance are good but information needs clarity to be effective.
• Provide supporting information. If a user needs more information, make sure it’s easily
accessible for them.
• Provide balanced information. You should present both sides of the coin rather than just one.
• Make it clear what is to be done with the information. What action should the user take?
Why should they take it?
• Make it easy for the user to take action. If they need to complete a task there and then make it
accessible and make it obvious.
Avoiding Information Overload Ourselves
• Feel free to ignore information. That doesn’t mean ignore e-mail
from your boss or your clients but do recognize you can’t consume
every drop of information out there and don’t feel guilty for ignoring
some (or a lot) of it.
• Feel free to take action without all the facts. We all do this at times
– ask yourself “what’s the worst that can happen?” when you realize
the answer is “probably, not a lot” just take action.
• Create an information queue and tackle it on a regular
basis. Don’t feel pressured to deal with information as it arrives; put it
to one side and tackle it in a quiet time of the day.
• Filter information ruthlessly. Create filters on your e-mail box and
ensure that only priority material catches your eye during the day. Use
filters in your searches to reduce the amount of information you get on
Google. Only deal with what is relevant and/or important.
• Delegate information responsibilities. If you are part of a team –
don’t take responsibility for knowing everything; encourage people to
specialize and then rely on their understanding.
• Learn to skim. Most information really only contains a key point or
two – grab those points and move on.
Conclusion
• Information overload is a real phenomenon which prevents us from
taking decisions or actions because we feel we have too much
information to consume. There are some simple tips to minimize both
information overload for the users of our designs and which we can
use to prevent information overload on ourselves. Following these tips
will reduce (though it will never completely eliminate) the information
overload that we and our users have to handle.