Ten Usability Heuristics
http://www.useit.com/papers/heuristic/heuristic_list.html
by Jakob Nielsen
adapted Dr. Beverly Stevens & Dr. Joaquin Vila
[H1 - Visibility of system status]
The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through
appropriate feedback within reasonable time.
[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.
[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.
[H4 - Consistency and standards]
Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the
same thing. Follow platform conventions.
[H5 - Error prevention]
Even better than good error messages is a careful design which prevents a problem from
occurring in the first place.
[H6 - Recognition rather than recall]
Make objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember
information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system
should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate.
[H7 - Flexibility and efficiency of use]
Accelerators (i.e., shortcuts)-- unseen by the novice user -- may often speed up the
interaction for the expert user such that the system can cater to both inexperienced and
experienced users. Allow users to tailor frequent actions.
[H8 - Aesthetic and minimalist design]
Dialogues should not contain information which is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every
extra unit of information in a dialogue competes with the relevant units of information
and diminishes their relative visibility.
[H9 - Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors]
Error messages should be expressed in plain language (no codes), precisely indicate the
problem, and constructively suggest a solution.
[H10 - Help and documentation]
Even though it is better if the system can be used without documentation, it may be
necessary to provide help and documentation. Any such information should be easy to
search, focused on the user's task, list concrete steps to be carried out, and not be too
large
Severity of usability problems:
0 = I don't agree that this is a usability problem at all
1 = Cosmetic problem only: need not be fixed unless extra time is available on project
2 = Minor usability problem: fixing this should be given low priority
3 = Major usability problem: important to fix, so should be given high priority
4 = Usability catastrophe: imperative to fix this before product can be released
Write up for Heuristic Evaluation ITK 467
Evaluation from one evaluator (Each member must do this heuristic
evaluation independently):
Example:
[H1 Simple & natural dialog] (Severity 2)
Description: On the home page, the “Sign In” box is not prominent enough.
Suggestion/Solution: Suggest moving it up to the header or otherwise making it
stand out.
Summary of four evaluators organized by tasks (not required to organize by
tasks)
Example:
Complete Course Listing
Violation Severity
[H3 User
control
and
freedom]
2
Description
On both Individual Course
Page and Complete Course
Page, users can view the
listing only in the prestructured way.
# of
Evaluators
Solution
Provide sort by "topic",
sort by "date" to allow
more user control.
2
Summary
Overall Recommendation:
Summary of findings maybe a few paragraphs or list each applicable
heuristic, [H1 - Visibility of system status] and give recommendations for
improvement.
Overall Heuristic Statistics:
Heuristic
# of
Violations
H1 - Visibility of system status
4
H2 - Match between system and the real world
7
H3 - User control and freedom
3
H4 - Consistency and standards
4
H5 - Error Prevention
0
H6 - Recognition rather than recall.
1
H7 - Flexibility and efficiency of use
1
H8 - Aesthetic and minimalist design
2
H9 - Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover
from errors
0
H10 - Help and documentation
0
Total
Severity
25
# of Violations
0. Don't think this is a usability problem
1
1. Cosmetic problem
9
2. Minor usability problem
12
3. Major usability problem; important to fix
3
4. Usability catastrophe; imperative to fix
0
Debriefing:
Present your results to the group in class (Presentation). Hand off all of the above
documentation (files) to the group.