Professional Heuristics
Questions this method answers: Highly effective in situations where you need immediate feedback on a relatively narrow set of issues that can be clearly articulated and which are not business-critical. This methodology is also a powerful method for structuring the thinking of the development team in terms of what dimensions impact user performance and satisfaction. Recommended use in combination with lab-based testing sequence. Should only be undertaken by certified human factors engineering professional.
Statistical reliability: (None) No actual users employed in this methodology. Data is based on professional opinion and analysis by professional human factors engineer and is only as good as the experience of those executing the analysis.
Functional Scope: Can address a very wide range of task sequences and interaction processes.
Fees: Moderate (no human respondents utilized but makes use of highly experienced professionals)
Lead time: 1-3 weeks for top line report/recommendations
Geographic reach: Complete world reach (anywhere there is high speed internet access and approved access to system)
Deliverable: Comprehensive report covering professional opinion of experts responsible for analysis. Can be highly structured, based on the application of established human interaction models.
Major advantage: Fast, confidential, international in scope and can be relatively low cost. Can produce deep insights in a short time frame if the expert involved has direct experience in your interaction model and industry.
Disadvantages: No statistical reliability, data is mostly subjective and therefore can be considered invalid by development team. Can lead to conflicts within development team in terms of how to use the recommendations provided.
Quality of service issues: Methodology is frequently offered by individuals without professional certification in human factors engineering. This process demands deep professional experience and a pre-established methodology that has proven effective in similar projects.
Applications
- Web sites
- Web 2.0
- Client apps.
- Product interfaces and support materials
- Almost any type of product or service
Frequently used in combination with
- Lab-based study
- On-line follow up study
