Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M0815

Grandma Test

Grandma Test
StructuremediumLogic
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

If you can't make your grandmother understand what your product does, your product is too complex or you haven't explained it clearly.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Extreme simplification. Similar to the Feynman Technique, but more focused on product interaction. It forces you to strip away all jargon and complex logic, returning to the most basic value proposition.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

A simple standard for usability design: if a product can be used smoothly by an elderly person unfamiliar with technology, it is intuitive enough. Use an 'extreme but real' user group to force simplification.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/3

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    36kr.comhttps://36kr.com/p/3320829037127939ZH · Explicit
    verified

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