Not all load is bad load.
Cognitive load theory splits mental effort into three kinds. Healthy teams manage the first, remove the second and protect the third.
Intrinsic
The Problem Is Hard
Manage it.
- Built into the work itself
- Chunk it, pair on it, sequence it
- You can shape it, not delete it
Extraneous
The Friction Around It
Remove it.
- Vague tickets, flaky builds
- Too many tools and handoffs
- Pure cost, zero value
Germane
The Effort Of Learning
Protect it.
- Building mental models
- Understanding the system deeply
- First to go when time is tight
Source: Educational Psychologist ↗
Cut the friction. Keep the challenge.