Heuristic Evaluation

What

Heuristic Evaluation is a quick way to find common and overarching usability problems of a website compared against key design principles. Heuristic Evaluation is also used to identify opportunities for improvement.

Why

Having the empirical rules of thumb, best practices, standards and rules that have been tested or observed over a period of time provide valuable feedback in a typically shorter amount of time (versus user research).

How

As you review the site, ask yourself, "Self? Does the site...?"

• Use a simple and flexible design style guide for the service?
• Have a consistent use of a design style guide?
• Use language and design consistently throughout the service, including online and offline touch points?
• Use plain language so users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing?
• Give users clear information about where they are in each step of a process?
• Provide users with a way to exit and return later to complete the process?
• Provide clear instructions for use of the system (visible or easily retrievable)?
• Follow accessibility best practices to ensure all people can use the service.
• Display error messages should be expressed in plain language (no codes) so that it precisely indicates the problem, and constructively suggest a solution?
• Have forgiveness and have an interface that will allow the user to make actions recoverable?