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Obvious Easy Possible
Product / Tools · Updated Apr 2026
Three tiers for what users can do in your product. Coined by Jason Fried in The Obvious, the Easy, and the Possible.
The Tiers
- Obvious. The thing most users come for. Visible at first glance, one click away.
- Easy. Common tasks. Discoverable with a quick look; takes a few steps.
- Possible. Rare or advanced tasks. Hidden, but available when needed.
Why It Matters
- Every task can't be first-class. Trying makes the UI a swamp.
- Hiding the obvious tasks buries the product.
- Exposing rare tasks clutters the common path.
How to Apply
- For each task, decide which tier it belongs in.
- Obvious: on the main surface, with no setup.
- Easy: one menu deep, searchable, documented.
- Possible: keyboard shortcut, API, settings page, power-user route.
The Trap
Over-promoting features because their owners push for visibility. The obvious tier belongs to users, not to politics.
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