Heuristic Evaluation

Plain English

Checking usabilityglossary×UsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term→ using expert rules.

Definition

Heuristic evaluationguide×Heuristic EvaluationReviewing an interface against recognised usability principles to quickly identify and prioritise usability issues.Open guide→ is a usabilityglossary×UsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term→ inspection method where experts assess a product against recognised principles.

In practice

Used to identify usabilityglossary×UsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term→ issues quickly without user testing.

The reality

Relies on expert judgement and may miss real user behaviourglossary×User BehaviourUser behaviour refers to how users interact with a product, including actions, patterns, and decision-making processes.Open glossary term→.