You can find Heuristics on the low-cost side of the usability spectrum. In a heuristic evaluation, the evaluator(s) compare a product (website, software, etc.) to a list of criteria (the "heuristics"). The technique was pioneered by usability guru Jakob Nielsen (see his page on heuristics) and the most well-know set of heuristics is Nielsen's Ten Usability Heuristics. However, many people have found that this list doesn't exactly meet their needs. Addressing this point, Todd Zazelenchuk has compiled a list of alternatives to Nielsen's heuristics.
Posted by Karl
February 11, 2003 08:12 AM