Heuristic Evaluation

Systematic usability review using established principles.

When to Trigger

• User shares a screenshot, mockup, or prototype
• User asks for design feedback or review
• User asks "what's wrong with this"
• User wants to improve an interface
• Before shipping user-facing changes

Quick Start

1. Ask user to share the interface (screenshot, URL, or description)
2. Ask: "Any specific flows or areas of concern?"
3. Run evaluation using Nielsen's 10 (default) or requested framework

Core Workflow

Heuristic Evaluation Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Capture interface context
- [ ] Step 2: Select evaluation framework
- [ ] Step 3: Evaluate against each heuristic
- [ ] Step 4: Score severity of issues
- [ ] Step 5: Prioritize recommendations

Step 1: Capture Context

Before evaluating, understand:

• What is this? (App type, purpose)
• Who uses it? (Target users, expertise level)
• What task? (Primary user flow being evaluated)

If not provided, ask: "What are users trying to accomplish here?"

Step 2: Select Framework

Default: Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics

Alternatives (if user requests or context suggests):

• Shneiderman's 8 Golden Rules — for interaction-heavy interfaces
• Cognitive Walkthrough — for first-time user experience
• Custom rubric — if user provides one

See references/frameworks.md for full framework details.

Step 3: Nielsen's 10 Evaluation

For each heuristic, identify violations:

#	Heuristic	What to look for
1	Visibility of system status	Loading indicators, progress, confirmation, current state
2	Match real world	Familiar language, logical order, conventions from domain
3	User control & freedom	Undo, cancel, exit, back navigation, escape hatches
4	Consistency & standards	Same words/actions mean same things, platform conventions
5	Error prevention	Confirmat...