Heuristics for Modern Web Application Development

"Heuristic evaluation is a technique that involves analysing the usability of a website against a set of general usability precepts. One or more "experts" will analyse the target site, often following a series of pre-defined scenarios. Whenever they encounter an issue that breaks one of the precepts or "heuristics", they will note the issue and sometimes the severity...

There are a number of different usability heuristics around, but the most popular ones on the web are Jakob Nielsen’s 10 usability heuristics and Bruce "Tog" Tognazzini’s basic principles for interface design..."

This is a very nice supplement to the work of the authors mentioned above. Here's a quick summary of Andy Budd's main points:

• Design for User Expectations
• Clarity
• Minimize Unnecessary Complexity and Cognitive Load
• Efficiency and Task Completion
• Provide Users with Context
• Consistency and Standards
• Prevent Errors
• Help users notice, understand and recover from errors
• Promote a pleasurable and positive user experience

Read the full article...