Heuristics

1. Transparency of Structure
   1. Controls and navigation should give the user a sense of overall structure, location, and indicate what actions are possible.
2. Sense of Control and Flexibility
   1. Users should have a feeling of control over the system and freedom of action.
   2. The interface should be intuitive to users with a wide range of experiences. User’s with less experience should be able to complete tasks as efficiently as possible, while more advanced users may be able to use “shortcuts” for higher efficiency.
3. Responsiveness and Feedback
   1. User actions should have noticeable effects. Status should be communicated clearly, and success or failure states should be obvious and noticeable.
4. Predictability
   1. Users should have an awareness of the likely outcome of actions via cues and affordances.
5. Error Avoidance and Recovery
   1. The systems should help users avoid errors, and recover from them when they occur.
6. Familiarity and Learnability
   1. Interface elements should conform with the real world or traditional interface patterns users are likely familiar with.
   2. Unfamiliar interface elements should be well-labeled, have affordances indicating their use, not tax the user's memory, and should have a high likelihood of memorability.
7. Preference for Function Over Aesthetics and Ornaments
   1. Elements that could confuse the user or interfere with a streamlined experience should be avoided.
8. Availability and Visibility of Information
   1. Information and available actions should be accessible and easy to find, reducing reliance on memory.
9. Support and help can be accessed
   1. Fallback help is available when the user needs assistance not available via the system.
10. Consistency and Clarity
    1. Verbiage, icons, and actions should be standardized and predictable.
11. Fulfillment and Follow Through
    1. The user should have confidence their requests are being fulfilled over time.
12. Accessibility and Design
    1. The system should be accessible by assistive technologies.
    2. Textual and iconographic information should conform to visual contrast guidelines and should be readable and legible.
    3. Elements should feel unified and harmonious.

Scoring

Scoring is done from 1 to 5, 5 indicating no problems.

If a given heuristic does not apply to a testable element, it won't be scored.

1. The product fails completely against this heuristic. High likelihood of most users having issues that they cannot overcome.
2. The product fails to meet expectations against this heuristic, and it is likely users will have issues. But the issues can be overcome, or are not central to most users’ main tasks.
3. The product functions according to this heuristic, but there is potential for some user failure.
4. The product functions according to this heuristic, but there are issues that should be addressed to facilitate a better user experience.