Heuristic Evaluation Method

Question 1

Who performs evaluation during heuristic evaluation?

Answer 1

Nielsen suggests 3 to 5 people, experts perform the heuristic evaluation

Question 2

4 steps of heuristic evaluation

Answer 2

1. Pre-evaluation training
2. Evaluations
3. Severity ratings
4. Debriefing

Question 3

Evaluation phase

Answer 3

Each evaluator, with pre-evaluation training, performs at least two passes of problem scope - first to get a feel for interface, then to focus on specific elements.
Each evaluator compiles a list of problems.

Question 4

Severity Ratings

Answer 4

Problems are discussed as a group. Severity is a combination of
1. Frequency
2. Impact
3. Persistence
Severity is estimated after problems have been seen, done independently before discussing

Question 5

Severity Rankings 0-4

Answer 5

0 - Not a usability problem
1 - Cosmetic problem
2 - Minor usability problem
3 - Major usability problem
4 - Usability catastrophe - needs immediate fixing