The cognitive jogthrough: a fast-paced user interface evaluation procedure

ABSTRACT

Walkthrough techniques have been shown to be an effective supplement to empirical testing methods for evaluating the usability of software systems [3, 4]. Unfortunately, structured walkthrough procedures tend to be time-consuming and unpopular with evaluators when used on substantial tasks. To maximize the useful information obtained from walkthroughs while minimizing the overhead of the procedure itself, a fast-paced methodology was developed and used within the constraints of a real-world product development environment. By using video recording equipment and an informal, interactive evaluation session, the “cognitive jogthrough” procedure revealed significant user interface problems that could then be studied using other techniques.

REFERENCES

• 1: Brigham Bell , John Rieman , Clayton Lewis, Usability testing of a graphical programming system: things we missed in a programming walkthrough, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: Reaching through technology, p.7-12, April 27-May 02, 1991, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States [doi>10.1145/108844.108846]
• 2: Haber, J. Proposing Usability Testing to Management- An "It works therefore it's truth" approach. Presented at CHI 1991 Conference (New Orleans, LA, Apr. 27 - May 2) by Lora Davenport.
• 3: Robin Jeffries , James R. Miller , Cathleen Wharton , Kathy Uyeda, User interface evaluation in the real world: a comparison of four techniques, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: Reaching through technology, p.119-124, April 27-May 02, 1991, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States [doi>10.1145/108844.108862]
• 4: Clayton Lewis , Peter G. Polson , Cathleen Wharton , John Rieman, Testing a walkthrough methodology for theory-based design of walk-up-and-use interfaces, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: Empowering people, p.235-242, April 01-05, 1990, Seattle, Washington, United States [doi>10.1145/97243.97279]
• 5: Jakob Nielsen , Rolf Molich, Heuristic evaluation of user interfaces, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: Empowering people, p.249-256, April 01-05, 1990, Seattle, Washington, United States [doi>10.1145/97243.97281]
• 6: Wright, P. and Monk, A. Co-Operative Evaluation - The York Manual. University of York, York, UK, 1991.
• 7: Edward Yourdon, Structured walkthroughs: 4th edition, Yourdon Press, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1989

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

  J. Computer Applications
  J.2 PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
      Subjects: Chemistry

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
design methodologies, structured walkthroughs, user interface evaluation techniques