Heuristic evaluation
We conduct heuristic evaluation: a UX expert reviews your interface against recognized usability principles (Nielsen's heuristics etc.) and finds problems — fast and without involving users. A good way to catch obvious flaws before or instead of expensive testing. Honestly upfront: this is an EXPERT's opinion, not real users' — the expert may flag what users do not mind, or miss what genuinely hinders; so heuristics COMPLEMENT testing on people (953) rather than replace it, especially for the important.
Heuristic evaluation — overview
Heuristic evaluation is an expert audit of the interface against a set of recognized usability principles (e.g. Jakob Nielsen's 10 heuristics: visibility of system status, match with the real world, freedom of action, consistency, error prevention etc.). The expert systematically goes through the interface, finds principle violations, assesses their severity and gives recommendations. Fast and relatively cheap, without recruiting users. Honestly about 'expert's opinion, not users'', this is key: heuristic evaluation reflects an expert viewpoint, NOT real users' behavior. The expert catches known-principle violations well, but: (1) may flag a 'problem' that does not bother real users; (2) may miss what hinders your specific audience (the expert ≠ your user, with a different context and experience). So it is not a replacement for testing on people but a different tool. Honestly about the link: the best practice is to combine heuristics (quickly finds obvious principle-based problems) and usability testing (953, shows real behavior and 'why'). Heuristics are good as a quick first pass or when there are no resources for a test, but for important decisions they do not cancel verification on users. Honestly about subjectivity: even experts' opinions diverge (so sometimes several evaluators are involved); it is expert judgment, not objective measurement. Honestly about 'finds, does not fix': the evaluation reveals problems and gives recommendations, but fixing is separate work. Honestly about the effect: it quickly and cheaply reveals many usability problems, saving on the obvious, but it is an expert view, not data from users and not a guarantee. Honestly about access: access to the interface/product is needed. An important boundary: this is heuristics (expert); usability test (real people) — 953; cognitive walkthrough (also expert, about learnability) — 960. Picture this: instead of 'not noticing obvious problems' — an expert audit against principles, complementing tests. The base price starts from 25,000 ₽ (depends on interface volume).
Problems we solve
- The interface has obvious UX problems that go unnoticed.
- No resources/time for full user testing.
- Usability decisions are on arguments, without an expert basis.
- A quick usability audit is needed before launch.
What's included in the Heuristic evaluation service
- An expert audit against recognized heuristics (Nielsen etc.)
- A systematic interface pass, finding principle violations
- Problem-severity assessment and recommendations
- Honest boundaries (expert opinion ≠ users; complements, does not replace a test)
- Indicating where verification on people is needed (953)
- Several evaluators if needed
- A link with cognitive walkthrough (960) and usability (953)
- Handover of the report and review with you
What you get
- A fast expert usability audit against principles
- Many obvious problems found before launch
- Prioritized recommendations
- Honest boundaries (an expert view; not a replacement for a test on people; not a guarantee)
How the work goes: steps
- The expert goes through the interface by heuristics; records violations
- Assesses severity, forms recommendations
- Hands over the report, honestly indicates where a test on people is needed (953)
Why PDV Expert
- Fixed price and timeline — no surprises on the invoice.
- Report and recommendations in plain language — clear without a technical background.
- In touch at every step and answering questions about the result.
FAQ
Does heuristic evaluation replace user testing?
No, honestly: it is an expert's opinion, not real users' behavior. The expert may flag a 'problem' that does not bother users, or miss what hinders your specific audience (with a different context). Heuristics quickly catch obvious principle violations and are good as a first pass or with limited resources, but for the important they complement testing on people (953) rather than replace it.
Is it an objective assessment?
It is expert judgment, not objective measurement, honestly. Even different experts' opinions diverge (so sometimes several evaluators are involved for reliability). Heuristics are recognized principles, which raises the grounding, but it is still an expert view, not data from your users. We honestly present it as an expert audit, not as truth.
Will the evaluation fix the problems by itself?
No, honestly: heuristic evaluation reveals problems and gives prioritized recommendations, but fixing is separate work (interface edits). Seeing a problem ≠ fixing it. We give a clear prioritized list, while implementing fixes can be done separately. It is diagnostics that saves on the obvious, not a ready solution.
About the provider
The «Heuristic evaluation» service is provided by PDV Expert — a team specialising in «Site quality». We work under contract and deliver a written report with recommendations.