A New Approach to Heuristic Evaluation

Traditionally called “heuristic evaluation,” expert review usually involves reviewing a software application or website against a list of design criteria or human factors principles. While this approach is helpful in identifying layout problems, inconsistencies, and information architecture problems, it doesn’t necessarily ensure that your users will be able to use your site to accomplish their goals, or that they will enjoy their experience on your site.

Our approach to expert review is grounded in knowing who your primary users are and what their goals are. While we draw on human factors principles and web design standards in our analysis, it is framed in the context of user experience. We walk through your site from the perspective of each of your target users, identifying problems with your site that will hinder or prevent users from meeting their goals. We provide a prioritized list of issues, followed by wire frames illustrating immediate fixes and long-term solutions to each critical and major problem identified. We incorporate interaction design and human factors principles into all recommendations.

A Cost-Effective Usability Strategy

Expert review is a popular way to get started working with Acclaro. It’s a very cost-effective way to uncover usability problems, identify fixes, and develop a longer-term roadmap / strategy for further interaction design and usability testing.