Heuristic Evaluation

An accessibility or usability evaluation method in which evaluators examine an interface against a set of recognised principles (heuristics) to identify potential problems. In web accessibility, heuristic evaluation typically involves checking pages against WCAG success criteria or other established guidelines. While heuristic evaluation can be conducted relatively quickly and without end users, its effectiveness depends heavily on evaluator expertise — novices tend to find fewer issues and produce more false positives than experienced practitioners. Variations include barrier walkthroughs and structured walkthroughs that provide more systematic guidance to reduce the evaluator effect.