Systems and techniques for assaying conformance to an activity manipulating a beaded-string smart device are herein described. The beaded-string smart device may include an active bead. The active bead may include at least one processor, at least one sensor, and at least one output device. A set of parameters for a model of the activity may be received to establish a measurable metric for at least a portion of the activity. A set of motion data may be collected. A position of the active bead may be calculated in relation to the remainder of the smart device using the set of motion data. The position of the active bead may be compared to the measurable metric to establish progress of the activity. A perceptible output of the progress may be provided via the at least one output device.