The idea
When people must choose between unfamiliar alternatives, more uncertainty tends to increase the time they need to respond. The Hick–Hyman relationship describes controlled choice tasks; it is a useful lens, not a formula for every menu.
Why it matters
An interface asks people to interpret options before they act. Clear grouping and meaningful labels can reduce that work without removing useful capabilities.
A real-world example
A reporting tool first asks what someone wants to understand—sales, customers or delivery—then shows the relevant reports. The choices stay available, but arrive in a useful context.
What this doesn’t mean
Do not hide essential choices just to reduce their count. Familiarity, unequal choice probabilities and visual search change the task. A shorter menu with vague labels can be harder to use.
Try this.
Test whether a new user can identify the next step from the labels alone. Group by intent before adding another screen.
Sources & further reading
Our explanations and examples are original. These references provide the underlying research or design perspective.