Behavioural Science - Sludge Reduction

Sludge is frequently defined as excessive friction that makes it harder for people to achieve their desired outcomes. Common examples include complicated forms, opaque organisational processes or long waiting times. Sludge is a common feature in many organisations, public or private, and can accumulate significantly over time. Sludge sometimes arises as the inevitable byproduct of a well-meaning process that seeks to ensure important objectives such as risk management, oversight, legal compliance or data privacy. While some sludge might be warranted to safeguard these objectives, the total amount of sludge is often excessive and accompanied by significant, but often hidden, costs.