Pathwise

Manuals / UI/UX Foundations / Chapter 4

B · Evaluate · intermediate · Week 2 · Chapter 4 of 13

Usability heuristics in practice

Nielsen’s 10 heuristics are a structured critique lens. Score flows, prioritize fixes, avoid “redesign everything” paralysis.

Path progress
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Step 1 of 3

Heuristic pass

Focus on: visibility of status, match to real world, user control, consistency, error prevention.

  • Visibility of system status
  • Match between system and real world
  • User control and freedom
  • Consistency and standards
  • Error prevention
Heuristic passDrag stickies · tap for tips
Study mapDrag stickies · tap for tipsKeep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Assert the UIdrag · tap →Retry wiselydrag · tap →Seed datadrag · tap →Close the loopdrag · tap →Keep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Pathwise hackdrag · tap →Heuristic passdrag · tap →Try thisdrag · tap →Follow the dashed drag · tap →

Do this now

Rate your app’s happy path 1–5 on 5 heuristics. Document one violation each.

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Chapter learning outcomes
  • 10 heuristics (practical subset)
  • Severity rating
  • Heuristic walkthrough

Clear these before you leave

Side quest

Government site audit

Heuristic pass on any .gov site — practice cruelty with compassion.