Lecture 03 - Heuristic Evaluation

[Pages:37]Heuristic Evaluation

Ananda Gunawardena Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Department

Fall 2008

Background

? Heuristic evaluation is performed early in the development process to understand user requirements

? Heuristic evaluation addresses usability issues in the design

? Heuristic evaluation involves small sample of potential users of the product

Ref:

CMU-15-397 Fall 08

Nielson Heuristics

1. Visibility of system status 2. Match between system and the real world 3. User control and freedom 4. Consistency and standards 5. Error prevention 6. Recognition vs. recall 7. Flexibility and efficiency of use 8. Aesthetic and minimalist design 9. Error recovery 10. Help and documentation

H1: Visibility of System Status

searching database for matches

? The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time.

? Simple and natural dialog

H2: Match between system and the real world

? The system should speak the users' language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.

? In Mac, drag disk to trash can to eject ? bad example

H3: User Control and Freedom

? Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked "emergency exit" to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo and redo.

? Always have more than one choice available

H4: Consistency and Standards

? Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow platform conventions.

? Use standard conventions like file, edit, view, insert (if applicable) in your toolbars

H5: Error prevention

? Careful design which prevents a problem from occurring in the first place

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