What is heuristic assessment?

Heuristic evaluation is a process by which the expert evaluates the user interface or similar system using the list of instructions. This is not the same as the user's rating or the usability test in which users actually try the interface. Instead, a predetermined list of functions or aspects of user interfaces that are commonly accepted as beneficial is used to evaluate the interface. Heuristic assessment is usually faster and cheaper than the usability test, even if it has weaknesses and should be used at the beginning of development. This list can come from a number of sources, although the first such basic list has been created by Jakob Nielsen and creates 10 principle design elements that should be included in the interface. Different usability and design experts can create their own lists or use these 10 as a starting point for more detailed checklists. When this expert is invited to perform a heuristic evaluation, then uses a checklist to consider strengths and weaknessessystem.

Heuristic evaluation is usually carried out by an expert in usability and interface design rather than real test users. The expert looks at the various elements of the interface and evaluates each part of it according to the control list he created. This may include the use of "yes" or "no" to evaluate whether certain elements are present in the interface, as well as a numerical scale that indicates the severity of the problems or problems found in the heuristic evaluation. The scale allows the program developers to easily recognize the nature of the problem and quickly find out if the sources are available to repair it before the software release.

One of the main side of the heuristic evaluation is that it applies common standards to different types of systems. A function that can be required in one type of software can be unnecessary in another; While some features that could be consideredOna for poor design for some programs can be in particular beneficial for others. Many companies still use experts to perform a heuristic evaluation because the process is faster and cheaper than long -term usability testing using large user groups. Heuristic assessments are still beneficial, but should be used at the beginning of the design and development process, so the changes proposed by evaluation can be considered before testing, which often show the reality of the usability of the interface.