Development of a Multiple Heuristics Evaluation Table (MHET) to support software development and usability analysis

Abstract

Among the variety of heuristics evaluation methods available, four paramount approaches have emerged: Nielsen's ten usability heuristics, Shneiderman's Eight Golden Rules of Interface Design, Tognazzini's First Principles of Interaction Design, and a set of principles based on Edward Tufte's visual display work. To simplify access to a comprehensive set of heuristics, this paper describes an approach to integrate existing approaches (i.e., identify overlap, combine conceptually related heuristics) in a single table hereafter referred to as the Multiple Heuristics Evaluation Table (MHET). This approach also seeks to update these approaches by addressing existing gaps and providing concrete examples that illustrate the application of concepts. Furthermore, the authors identify three decision factors that support meaningful communication among stakeholders (e.g., product managers, engineers) and apply them to the MHET heuristics. Finally, this paper discusses the practical implications and limitations of the MHET. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.