What is Cognition Incorporation?

"Cognitive incorporation" represents a commitment to applying cognitive science principles to practical problems. It involves optimizing processes by aligning them with human cognitive abilities and limitations.

Innovation through Cognitive Science: Using research-based methods to foster innovation, such as incorporating principles of cognitive load theory to simplify workflows or designing systems that align with human limitations.

System Design and Consulting: Creating tools and processes that help organizations and individuals make data-driven decisions. It involves designing evaluation frameworks that measure skills and behaviors to determine the best ways to solve specific organizational challenges.

Product and Program Development: Applying cognitive theories to build educational products, resources, or services that address complex issues. For example, developing a playbook or training modules that guide businesses in choosing which problems to address and how to solve them effectively.

Innovation through Cognitive Science: In 2024 started an initiative to develop and implement a comprehensive educational program for autistic students aged 13–21 that focuses on teaching practical life skills, fostering independence, and creating pathways to meaningful job opportunities. This program will include personalized learning plans, vocational training, and partnerships with local businesses to ensure students transition successfully into the workforce. 

System Design and Consulting: In 2022 I applied the values of cognition incorporation to help design a new evaluation framework for Fortune 500 company. This framework was used to evaluate if the desired outcomes aligned with the behaviors that we're being rewarded within the organization.   

Product and Program Development: In 2020 I applied the values of cognition incorporation to lead the development of a new program in India to build a new high stakes test prep product. Before creating the new product I created a playbook that helped the team to determine what problems were most valuable to solve. 

During 2020 - 2022 I took on the task of revising my masters thesis on instructional systems to apply it beyond the field of education. What I discovered through a decade in management is that not all problems were worth the time to solve so I developed the Flip method.

However, in order to obtain legitimacy for this cognitive approach I needed to detail the academic, professional and experiential evidence for why this method is effective. The result was a series of books explaining how I had approached problems in the past as an educator, director and consultant.