The Pareto principle, also known as the Pareto law or the 80/20 rule, is an empirical phenomenon revealing that 80% of effects are the product of 20% of causes. When applied to interface ergonomics, we reach the following conclusion: in 80% of use cases, users will utilize 20% of the features.
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Origin of the Pareto principle
It was the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto who highlighted this principle at the beginning of the 20th century while analyzing tax data from various countries (Italy and other European nations) to understand wealth distribution. He observed that 80% of wealth was held by 20% of the population. This law, stemming from the field of economics, achieved the success we know today and has been applied to numerous other fields. Most of the time, it serves to illustrate a principle of unequal distribution of actions and results.
Photo Duncan C
The Pareto principle on the walls: “80% of wealth held by 20% of the population”
There is a version of the Pareto principle called the Pareto distribution. It is a power law that provides a theoretical basis for the 80/20 principle. This Pareto distribution allows, for example, for the definition of priorities when dealing with problems. In this case, 20% of causes can resolve 80% of the problem. This law is therefore useful for determining which causes to act upon as a priority.
Credits: User:Metacomet and Sanao, via Wikimedia Commons
Probability density via the Pareto distribution
The Pareto chart
More commonly known, the Pareto chart is presented as a graph representing the impact of causes on a given phenomenon.
Pareto chart on the causes of tardiness at work
Some applications of the Pareto principle
Generally speaking, the Pareto principle is a rule that reveals through experience that causes are not distributed uniformly. Some contribute more than others, according to the 80/20 rule, of which here are some applications:
- 20% of customers generate 80% of the turnover
- 20% of efforts produce 80% of results
- 20% of a website’s content satisfies 80% of searches (information architecture)
This probability principle applies to a large number of fields.
What is the role of the Pareto principle in the answers provided by AI?
The advent of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the integration of massive language models (LLMs) into digital design and production processes have given the Pareto principle a new strategic dimension. This fundamental principle, which stipulates that 20% of causes generate 80% of effects, is no longer just an a posteriori analytical tool for traditional UX; it is now integrated a priori into the architecture, training, and purpose of AI systems. For the experts at Blog UX, specialists at the intersection of user experience, AI, and SXO, applying this rule has become an imperative to ensure the efficiency, relevance, and performance of contemporary digital products.