Heuristic evaluation: Definition, case study, template

Heuristic evaluation is a method used to assess the usability quality of an interface based on a set of principles. It involves identifying usability problems and providing recommendations to improve the user experience.

To conduct a heuristic evaluation, it is important to define usability objectives and criteria. This helps in understanding the problem and applying the evaluation effectively. One popular set of heuristics is Nielsen's 10 usability principles, which provide guidelines for creating user-friendly interfaces.

During the evaluation, evaluators make notes on usability issues based on the criteria. These issues are then categorized based on their severity, ranging from high severity (prevents the user from completing tasks) to low severity (noticeable but doesn't affect performance).

The prioritization of issues helps focus on the most critical problems that have the greatest impact on the user experience. It allows for effective allocation of resources to address these issues throughout the project.

In the reporting phase, evaluators present their findings and recommendations to stakeholders. Clear and concise descriptions of the problems are provided to facilitate actionable solutions.

Heuristic evaluation can be conducted in multiple iterations to uncover different issues. It is an important part of the UX process as it helps ensure a user-friendly interface that meets the needs of the users.