Procedure

The heuristic walkthrough uses a two-step procedure for identifying problems. The first step is to evaluate a product based on a set of tasks and questions associated with those tasks. The second step is to evaluate the product according to a set of heuristics. More than one evaluator can conduct the walkthrough, but the evaluators should assign individual ratings to each problem. Those ratings are then compared and a single rating is assigned to each problem.

Process Steps

1. Develop a list of "thought-provoking" questions about the product.
2. Develop a list of prioritized tasks based on importance, frequency or other criteria).
3. Walk through the product using the questions and tasks to uncover potential usability problems.
4. Document the usability problems.
5. Walk through the user interface of the product using list of usability heuristics to uncover problems.
6. Document the usability problems.
7. Assign severity ratings to problems.
8. Ask the evaluators compare ratings and agree on single rating per problem.

Data Analysis and Reporting

Evaluators compare ratings and assign one rating for each problem. The result is a list of usability problems, categorized by importance, and an overview of the types of problems encountered.

Next Steps

• Collect feedback from evaluators in a debrief session.
• Utilize the findings to help develop a formal usability test plan.

Additional studies could be done on applying this method to early conceptual models and mockups.