CogTool allows user interface designers to leverage the powerful methodology of cognitive modelling without the need for extensive training. Designers specify an interface design and a user task, and within minutes CogTool generates a detailed prediction of an expert user's performance on that task. CogTool allows rapid iteration on interface designs intended for efficient user by expert users, without the cost of training live expert users.

I designed and implemented a proof-of-concept prototype for CogTool, in which designers could create a mock-up of their interface design using a custom tool palette in Macromedia Dreamweaver. The designer then demonstrated the task in a web browser, and the user actions were recorded into a task model, with no programming required. The task was exported to a model file, which could be edited by hand for designers desiring low-level control.

CogTool executes the created models in ACT-R, an empirically verified cognitive architecture, and generates a predicted total time for the task, as well as a detailed trace of user actions.

I was the lead developer on the CogTool project from its inception in February 2003. I was involved in the initial interface design for the 1.0 release of CogTool, which integrated the interface mock-up and task specification components into a stand-alone application. More information on CogTool is available at the CogTool project page.