Heuristic evaluation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A heuristic evaluation is a usability evaluation method for computer software that helps to identify usability problems in the user interface (UI) design. It specifically involves evaluators examining the interface and judging its compliance with recognized usability principles (the "heuristics"). These evaluation methods are now widely taught and practiced in the New Media sector, where UIs are often designed in a short space of time on a budget that may restrict the amount of money available to provide for other types of interface testing.
The main goal to heuristic evaluations is to identify any problems associated with the design of user interfaces. Usability consultant Jakob Nielsen developed this method on the basis of several years of experience in teaching and consulting about usability engineering.
Heuristic evaluations are one of the most informal methods of usability inspection in the field of human-computer interaction. There are many sets of usability design heuristics; they are not mutually exclusive and cover many of the same aspects of interface design.
Quite often, usability problems that are discovered are categorized according to their estimated impact on user performance or acceptance. Often the heuristic evaluation is conducted in the context of use cases (typical user tasks), to provide feedback to the developers on the extent to which the interface is likely to be compatible with the intended users’ needs and preferences.
Most heuristic evaluations can be accomplished in a matter of days. The time required varies with the size of the artefact, its complexity, the purpose of the review, the nature of the usability issues that arise in the review, and the competence of the reviewers. A criticism that is often levelled at heuristic methods of evaluation is that results are highly influenced by the knowledge of the expert reviewer(s).
[edit] External links
- Jakob Nielsen's introduction to Heuristic Evaluation - Including fundamental points, methodologies and benefits.
- Alternate First Principles (Tognazzini) - Including Jakob Nielsen's ten rules of thumb
- Heuristic Evaluation at Usability.gov
[edit] Further reading
Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G., D., & Beale, R. (2004). Human-computer interaction (3rd ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson Education Limited. p324
Nielsen, J. and Mack, R.L. (Eds) (1994). Usability Inspection Methods, John Wiley & Sons Inc
Nielsen, J. (1994). Usability Engineering, Academic Press Inc
