IS YOUR PRODUCT USER-CENTRIC?

Inspection methods

Available methods

Heuristic evaluation Heuristic estimationCognitive walkthroughPluralistic walkthroughFeature inspectionConsistency inspection Standards inspectionFormal usability inspection

Heuristic evaluation

most informal methodusability specialists make sure each dialogue element follows the

“heuristics”

Heuristic estimation

relative usability of two (or more) designsquantitative terms (typically expected user

performance)

Cognitive walkthrough

simulate a user’s problem-solving processeach step through the dialoguecheck if predicted process correctly

Pluralistic walkthrough

users, developers, and human factors peoplestep through use casediscuss each dialog element involved

Feature inspection

list features required for a use casechecks for long sequences, cumbersome

steps, steps that would not be natural for users to try, and steps that require extensive knowledge/experience

Consistency inspection 

designers from other projectsmake sure its consistent with their own

design

Standards inspection

an expert on an interface standard inspect the interface for compliance.

Formal usability inspection

combines individual and group inspectionssix-step procedure with strictly defined rolesheuristic evaluation + cognitive walkthrough.

More information

http://www.useit.com/jakob/inspectbook.html

http://www.useit.com/papers/heuristic/inspection_summary.html