Heuristic evaluation
In the heuristic evaluation ( heuristic - to Greek heuriskein find ') is a method that usability of a user interface formative assess (ie before completion of the entire system ).
The method described by Jakob Nielsen and other usability experts, a small group of usability experts ( n = 5) trying to find reference to a list of heuristics as many potential usability problems later real users might have.
This is not about a quantitative assessment of usability problems, but rather it is even a basic grasp and recognize. Reviewed for example, an expert the search function in your application as problematic as they eg is not self-explanatory, the other experts are not, this is still recognized as a problem in the evaluation. Because a problem area itself is still identified.
The list of indications of usability problems is then assigned to the heuristics so that a classification problem is possible, the meta - statements allowed, for example, that the system are not sufficiently supported or is fault tolerant.
The reference list is then prioritized in terms of the need to tackle the looming usability problems (from " cosmetic problem " to " usability disaster "). Thus, the heuristic evaluation not only provides abstract scale values , but concrete suggestions for improving the usability of system prototypes / demonstrators.
Another advantage of the heuristic evaluation is that they - as performed by experts - at any stage of development, from the first prototype to the finished product can be applied. Moreover, this method is very inexpensive and uncomplicated in its application, so that it belongs next to the usability testing of the most frequently used methods of usability evaluation.
Disadvantages of the application relating to its properties as an expert methods: usability experts are not users, ie they have little knowledge about the context of the actual application (domain expertise ). Therefore, the method provides mainly rule-based and experience-based no evidence of usability problems, where the latter have most serious implications for users.
Therefore, the heuristic evaluation should not be construed as a substitute for usability testing with real users, but rather as a supplement in advance.