A person's first experience.
WHAT ONBOARDING SHOULD DO
Get the person to their first useful outcome quickly.
WHAT IT SHOULD NOT DO
Tour every feature Explain the interface
WHY NOT
Anything requiring explanation is a design problem deferred.
WHAT TO IDENTIFY
The first moment the person gets value.
Then remove everything between them and it.
WHAT TO DEFER
Settings Optional information Features they do not yet need
WHAT TO PROVIDE
A clear first action Realistic sample content, where it helps Progress, where setup has steps
WHAT TO AVOID
Long forms before anything is delivered Modal tours dismissed unread Requiring configuration before use
WHAT TO DO WITH GUIDANCE
Place it where it is needed, at the moment it is needed.
WHAT TO MEASURE
How many people reach the first useful outcome, and where the rest stop.
WHAT TO FIX FIRST
The largest drop.
