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Ariel Services: Heuristic Evaluations

Source: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.

One of the tools that Ariel uses to great success is heuristic evaluation. Simply put, the process is a critique of an interface to check its conformance with known and test design principles that enable end user performance. Ariel's goal is to see whether a system's design facilitates self-discovery and self-learning. Thus, our label heuristic. By engaging in such a critique, Ariel is able to capture design flaws. In most cases, an analysis and a report of recommendations follow.

In many of today's systems, designers and programmers often create interfaces that present confusing, conflicting and often misleading cues to end users. One of the chief contributors to this situation is team design and development where there are no clear guidelines on the use of screen objects. It is quite common for a system to be built according to the so-called Microsoft Design Standards and internal style guides and still be seriously flawed.

Common shortcomings in systems include:

  • Inconsistent use objects
  • Improper or inefficient use of objects
  • Confusing or misleading portrayal of process

When Ariel engages in an evaluation of an interface, its goals are typically threefold:

  • To evaluate the match between user and system language and navigation models,
  • To verify that the basic system interactions can be completed successfully without system training, and
  • To generate recommendations for design enhancements.

Companies such as Fidelity Investments, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Primerica Financial Services, Wells Fargo and other leaders have used Ariel's interface evaluation processes — you're in good company!

What happens in an evaluation?

Evaluations are a two-step process. First, using defined scenarios, Ariel's analysts observe actual end users, using the actual system in an actual work setting. This is our Rule of Three Actuals. Using processes from Ariel's Performance Support Engineering™, we are able to objectively identify strengths and weaknesses in any design.

The second aspect of the evaluation uses the skills and expertise of Ariel's analysts. With years of experience evaluating systems, Ariel's team members are interface "detectives." Our instinct and intuitiveness provides clients with a laser-focused analysis of what is right and wrong with the design of an existing system.

Post Analysis

Once the analysis is complete, Ariel provides its clients with solution recommendations. It is not our style to report the findings and disappear - instead we provide you with meaningful recommendations on moving forward. Ariel's recommendations are not based on fuzzy, subjective theory, but rather on our tested and proven methodologies.

Ariel's proven processes let you quickly identify how successful your system will be. No matter the stage of your system's development, Ariel's evaluation process can provide your organization and end users with meaningful value. Contact us today to find out more about utilizing Ariel's design "detectives." See the difference you can make when you Design with Humans in Mind.

 

 


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