Methinks you should go back and play Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 (heck, even 1) - Hold LB, flick analog stick to power, let go, voila. Want to see the cooldown for that ability you used? Just hold LB and check.
Alpha Protocol - Press d-pad. Tap L/RT to navigate to what you want (oh btw the screen is entirely pitch black while doing this, you cant plan anything out), select your one power with analog stick, press A. Use power, now press d-pad again, tap L/RT to navigate to what you want (oh btw the screen is entirely black while doing this), use analog stick to select skill, press A. Want to check how much cooldown is left for that skill you just used? Too bad! You can't see it! Unless you want to press d-pad. Tap L/RT to navigate what you want. Select previously used skill. Press A. You notice its not cooled down yet. Ok, let's press d-pad. Tap L/RT to navigate to what you want. Select skill you were gonna use before you checked on cooldown of previously used skill. Press A. Sounds like a mouthful? Well, trust me it's the best experience in the world when you have Omen Deng just down the hallway!