A heuristic is also known as a rule of thumb—a generally accurate guideline based on the experiential knowledge of how something works best. We use countless heuristics day-to-day to help simplify our lives and avoid complications. Rules like these provide a quick safety check in our daily activities.

In much the same way, designers use heuristics as a way to formulate and evaluate solutions. Drawing from experience, experts have learned that a design’s failure or success can often be predicted by how well it addresses the following principles of good design:

1) Match mental model; 2) Minimize perceived complexity; 3) Use consistent form, words, and actions; 4) Provide a sense of place; 5) Account for user and environmental constraints; 6) Anticipate needs; 7) Use clear and concise language; 8) Give feedback about actions and status; 9) Prevent errors and provide graceful recovery; 10) Strive for appropriate and minimal aesthetics.

• Leverages proven principles of good design.
• Helps you identify problems quickly.
• Yields data in the absence of test participants.
• Shows opportunities for improvement.

• Identify the subject of your review.
• Form a team of reviewers with multiple perspectives.
• Get everyone familiar with the ten heuristics.
• Select a small number of key tasks.
• Instruct each reviewer to conduct each task.
• Remind them to keep the heuristics in mind.
• Give each reviewer a pen and a sticky note pad.
• Ask them to note all of the issues they discover.
• Tell them to cite one heuristic for each issue.

• Ask the reviewers to add their initials to the notes.
• Encourage them to describe each issue clearly.
• Discourage the inclusion of solutions at this stage.