Luma

LUMA - Heuristic Review

Heuristic evaluation is a fast way for experts to find usability problems in designs. It uses established principles (heuristics) to systematically evaluate an interface. Reviewers check if the design follows rules like 'provide clear system status' or 'help users recover from errors'. It's quicker than user testing and identifies many issues early on.

Duration
2 hours
Group Size
3-5
Category
Luma
Difficulty
Easy
Energy
Medium

Objectives

Participants will:

  • Find usability problems.

  • Apply expert knowledge to design review.

  • Identify issues early in the process.

  • Save time on user testing.

  • Document problems effectively.

  • Guide design improvements.

Outcomes

You'll get:

  • Expert heuristic review findings.

  • Systematically identified usability issues.

  • Prioritized list of improvements.

Step-by-Step Instructions


  1. Choose the heuristics you'll use. Common ones include Nielsen's heuristics.

  2. Train reviewers on the chosen heuristics.

  3. Have each reviewer independently evaluate the design.

  4. Document each heuristic violation found.

  5. Rate the severity of each violation.

  6. Compile all findings into a single report.

  7. Remove any duplicate findings.

  8. Prioritize the issues based on severity and frequency.

  9. Create a plan to address the prioritized issues.

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Facilitator Tips

Have reviewers work alone initially to avoid bias. Encourage a systematic approach, covering all parts of the interface. Good documentation is key. Focus on the most critical issues first. I once had a team get bogged down in minor visual details; remind them to focus on usability.

Pre-Work

For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

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Materials Required


  • Heuristic checklist (e.g., Nielsen's heuristics)

  • Review forms or a template for documenting findings

  • Severity rating scale (e.g., 1-4)

  • Access to the product or design being evaluated

  • Documentation tools (e.g., spreadsheet, document editor)

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Resources & Templates

Heuristic Evaluation Miro Template
A collaborative Miro template for conducting a heuristic evaluation with a team.
Heuristic Evaluation Report Template
A template for creating a detailed report of findings from a heuristic evaluation.
Heuristic Evaluation Worksheet
A worksheet to guide evaluators through the process of conducting a heuristic review.
How to Conduct a Heuristic Evaluation
A comprehensive guide from the Interaction Design Foundation on the heuristic evaluation process.
Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics
The original and most widely used set of usability heuristics for user interface design.
Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics
The original and most widely used set of usability heuristics for user interface design.

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