UX designers and product managers
During a website redesign kickoff to align the team on usability principles.
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About
The 'Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug' mind map template distills 183 nodes from Steve Krug's classic usability book into a structured reference for web designers and UX professionals. It covers seven major branches: Guiding Principles, Navigation, Smooth Start, Usability Testing, Accessibility, Tips, and By Steve Krug. Key concepts like 'Krug's Third Law of Usability: LESS text' and 'The 101 Rule' are broken down with actionable advice. This template serves as a cheat sheet for applying Krug's principles—such as 'Don't make me think' and 'Clear visual hierarchy'—to improve user experience. It includes practical guidance on usability testing (e.g., testing with 3 people once a month) and accessibility (e.g., adding alt text and keyboard navigation). Ideal for quick reference during design reviews or sprint planning.
Terms and ConditionsWhen to use this template
UX researchers and QA engineers
When preparing a usability test plan and need a structured test script.
Frontend developers and interaction designers
While reviewing a new feature's navigation to ensure clear, thoughtless choices.
How to use this template
Step 1
Launch the Template
Open the .xmind file in Xmind desktop or web app.
Step 2
Study Core Principles
Review the 'Guiding Principles' branch to internalize Krug's laws.
Step 3
Plan Your Testing
Customize the 'Usability Testing' branch with your own tasks and timelines.
Step 4
Perform Accessibility Audit
Use the 'Accessibility' checklist to audit your current site or prototype.
Step 5
Share with Stakeholders
Export the mind map as a PDF or image to share with your team.
Frequently asked questions
The template includes 183 nodes across 7 branches: Guiding Principles, Navigation, Smooth Start, Usability Testing, Accessibility, Tips, and By Steve Krug. It covers key usability laws, navigation design, testing methods, and accessibility tips.
Follow the Usability Testing branch: recruit 3 users, run a 1-hour test per session (35 min task testing), and prioritize fixes by rating the top 10 problems. Customize the task list in Xmind.
Yes, the .xmind file is fully editable. You can add notes, change node colors, or reorganize branches to fit your project's needs.
The template advises to 'Eradicate welcome messages and instruction text' and keep content short. Use short paragraphs, bullet lists, and highlight key words to reduce cognitive load.
Yes, the Accessibility branch lists HTML practices like alt text, keyboard navigation, and contrast ratios. Use it as a checklist during design reviews.
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