Heuristic Review
UX Design
What is a Heuristic Review
A Heuristic Review is a systematic evaluation method where experts assess an interface against established usability principles (heuristics). It identifies potential usability issues without direct user testing, based on proven design guidelines and best practices.
Key Heuristics
Common evaluation criteria include:
- Visibility of System Status: Keep users informed
- Match Between System and Real World: Use familiar language
- User Control and Freedom: Provide clear exits
- Consistency and Standards: Follow platform conventions
How to conduct Heuristic Reviews
Perform reviews by having multiple evaluators independently assess the interface using defined heuristics, documenting issues, rating their severity, and then combining findings. Focus on both positive and negative aspects of the design.
When to use Heuristic Reviews
Implement during early design phases to catch obvious issues, before user testing to identify basic problems, or when quick evaluation is needed. They're particularly valuable when time or budget constraints limit extensive user testing.
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Typically, 3-5 evaluators will identify about 75% of usability problems. Additional evaluators provide diminishing returns beyond this number.
Heuristic reviews rely on expert evaluation against established principles, while usability testing observes actual users interacting with the interface. Both methods complement each other for comprehensive evaluation.
Use a severity rating system considering factors like frequency of occurrence, impact on users, and persistence of the problem. Combine these factors to create a prioritized list for addressing issues.
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