Jan. 24 HCI - Cognitive Walkthroughs

Cog Walkthrough: Prerequisites

• Prototype OR detailed Mockup
• A description o the user
• A task, and high level task analysis

Cognitive Walkthrough Questions

1. Will users be trying to produce whatever effect the action has?
2. Will users see the control (button, menu, switch, etc.) for the action?
3. Once users find the control, will they recognize that it produces the effect they want
4. After the action is taken, will users understand the feedback they get, so they can go on to the next action with confidence?

Prioritize Issues

• Critical (“Show-Stopper”)
• Major loss of functionality. User cannot continue unless problem is resolved.

• Moderate
• Affects one piece of functionality. User can continue with other aspects of task, or work around the issue with some effort.

• Minor
• Cosmetic issues, issues that cause only minor slow downs or can be easily worked around.
  

Cognitive Walkthrough Exercise

• User (Persona)
• Task Description
• Task Steps with Cognitive Walkthrough notes
• Summarize & Prioritize key problems
  

Use the Word Document provided in WebCT: Assignments to organize your Cognitive Walkthrough.