Researchers found breaking the large tasks into microtasks resulted in longer overall task completion times, but higher quality outcomes and an easier experience.

For microproductivity to be successful people need access to the right task at the right time. The microtask a person is asked to do should match the person’s available form factor

Microtasks should match the person’s available cognitive resources. Some microtasks are harder than others, and that makes them challenging to do while distracted.

Researchers found people were able to do a better job with hard tasks on a sentence (like changing the tone of the sentence) after they had first done an easier task (like spell checking) on the same sentence. Thoughtful task ordering can help people take advantage of this by using easy microtasks to help draw people into larger and more complex microtasks.

Research shows concrete progress with frequent feedback can help reinforce a sense of self-efficacy. Completing microtasks could provide motivational benefits in addition to functional efficiency, encouraging continued productivity beyond an isolated moment.