Expert evaluation methodology

Detailed Objectives

The goal of expert evaluation is to minimize the risk of usability errors before the product is exposed to real users.

This allows:

• Identify obstaclesto a smooth and intuitive user experience.
  
  
• Anticipating difficultiespotential problems that users might encounter, based on established user behavior theories and models.
  
  
• Assess compliancefrom the interface to industry best practices and standards.

Extended benefits

• Efficiency: Speed of execution and lower cost compared to user testing, which allows for rapid iteration.
• Prevention: Ability to detect problems before they become costly to change, particularly in the preliminary design phases.
• Depth of analysis: The expertise provided by the evaluators allows for an in-depth analysis of technical challenges and interaction issues that might escape non-expert users.
  

Advanced Methodologies

Expert assessments can take different forms, but they mainly focus on two techniques:

1/ Cognitive Inspection:

• Task simulation: The expert performs specific tasks using the system to identify design failures that could hinder the accomplishment of these tasks.
• Critical Path Analysis: Identifying the steps needed to complete a task and evaluating their effectiveness and ease.
• Mental modeling: The expert uses his experience to predict problems based on a theoretical understanding of users' cognitive psychology.

2/ Heuristic Evaluation:

• List of heuristics: Application of a standardized list of heuristics such as those developed by Jakob Nielsen, which include principles such as simplicity, predictability, and efficiency.
• Personalization: Adaptation of heuristics according to the specific context of the product to target critical aspects specific to the industry or technology used.
  

Limitations and Challenges

• Lack of diversity of opinion: Evaluations are often limited to the perspective of experts, who may not represent the diversity of end users.
  
  
• Risks of subjectivity: Potential differences in assessments due to personal bias or specific experience of experts.
  
  
• Necessary complementarity: The results should ideally be validated and supplemented by user testing to ensure the adequacy between the expert assessment and the real user experience.

Conclusion

Although expert usability assessment is a powerful method for quickly identifying usability defects, it should be used as a complement to user testing rather than as a substitute.

The combination of the two approaches provides a comprehensive and balanced view of usability and contributes to the creation of digital products that are not only functional but also pleasant and efficient to use.