The Arithmetic of Productivity Boosts: Why Does a “40% Increase in Productivity” Never Actually Work?

Productivity promises from new tools, such as a "40% increase," often fail to deliver because they target a very specific, small part of a larger workflow. For example, a tool that makes a data scientist's model parameter selection 20% more efficient might only impact a tiny fraction of their total work time, resulting in a negligible overall productivity boost. These marketing claims are often misleading by conflating a localized improvement with a general one. A better approach is to evaluate tools based on their ability to reduce cognitive load rather than just speed up a task. Reducing the mental effort required for complex processes can lead to more sustained effective work and better morale, offering a more meaningful improvement.