What is the maximum number of viable steps recommended for a smart walk thru?

The recommendation for a maximum of 10 steps in a smart walk-thru is grounded in user experience best practices. Keeping the walk-thru concise enhances user engagement and comprehension. When a walk-thru exceeds this number, it can become overwhelming, leading to disengagement or confusion as users may struggle to retain the information presented.

Limitations to 10 steps also encourage the designer to focus on the most critical actions that will provide value to the user, promoting clarity and effectiveness. This approach ensures that users can successfully follow along without feeling lost, thus increasing the likelihood of them achieving their desired outcomes. Additionally, in scenarios where more information is necessary, breaking down complex processes into multiple, manageable walk-thrus can maintain user interest and improve learning retention.