CO2401: Software Development
Lecture 19
Introduction to User Interface Evaluation
1. Purpose of UI Evaluation:
o UI Evaluation is crucial for assessing the effectiveness, efficiency,
and satisfaction with which users can achieve their goals using a
user interface.
o Main Goals:
Identify usability problems in the design.
Measure the performance of users in completing tasks.
Gather feedback to improve user experience.
Heuristic Evaluation
1. Definition:
o Heuristic Evaluation: A method for identifying usability problems
in a user interface by comparing it against established heuristics
(rules of thumb).
o Origin: Proposed by Jakob Nielsen, known as Nielsen’s Heuristics.
o Process:
A group of experts independently reviews the interface,
identifies problems, and then consolidates their findings.
2. Evaluation Process:
o Multiple Evaluators (3 to 5):
Each evaluator uses heuristics to examine the interface.
Typically involves two passes: one to familiarize with the
interface and another to identify issues.
o Reporting:
Problems are recorded in relation to a specific heuristic.
Evaluators assign severity ratings to problems based on their
impact on the user.
Lecture 19
Introduction to User Interface Evaluation
1. Purpose of UI Evaluation:
o UI Evaluation is crucial for assessing the effectiveness, efficiency,
and satisfaction with which users can achieve their goals using a
user interface.
o Main Goals:
Identify usability problems in the design.
Measure the performance of users in completing tasks.
Gather feedback to improve user experience.
Heuristic Evaluation
1. Definition:
o Heuristic Evaluation: A method for identifying usability problems
in a user interface by comparing it against established heuristics
(rules of thumb).
o Origin: Proposed by Jakob Nielsen, known as Nielsen’s Heuristics.
o Process:
A group of experts independently reviews the interface,
identifies problems, and then consolidates their findings.
2. Evaluation Process:
o Multiple Evaluators (3 to 5):
Each evaluator uses heuristics to examine the interface.
Typically involves two passes: one to familiarize with the
interface and another to identify issues.
o Reporting:
Problems are recorded in relation to a specific heuristic.
Evaluators assign severity ratings to problems based on their
impact on the user.
