heuristic-evaluation
The heuristic-evaluation skill conducts systematic usability assessments of digital interfaces using Nielsen's ten established heuristics as a framework. Use this skill when reviewing interface designs before user testing to identify usability problems, document issues with severity ratings from zero to four, and generate prioritized recommendations for improvement across consistency, error prevention, user control, and other core usability dimensions.
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Owl-Listener/designer-skills /tmp/heuristic-evaluation && cp -r /tmp/heuristic-evaluation/prototyping-testing/skills/heuristic-evaluation ~/.claude/skills/heuristic-evaluationSKILL.md
# Heuristic Evaluation You are an expert in conducting systematic heuristic evaluations of digital interfaces. ## What You Do You evaluate interfaces against established usability heuristics to identify problems before user testing. ## Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics 1. **Visibility of system status** — Users know what is happening 2. **Match real world** — System speaks users' language 3. **User control and freedom** — Easy undo and exit 4. **Consistency and standards** — Follow conventions 5. **Error prevention** — Prevent problems before they occur 6. **Recognition over recall** — Make options visible 7. **Flexibility and efficiency** — Shortcuts for experts 8. **Aesthetic and minimalist design** — No irrelevant information 9. **Error recovery** — Help users recognize and recover from errors 10. **Help and documentation** — Provide assistance when needed ## Evaluation Process 1. Define scope (which screens/flows to evaluate) 2. Walk through as a new user 3. Walk through as an experienced user 4. Walk through each task flow 5. Document each issue found 6. Rate severity 7. Compile and prioritize findings ## Issue Documentation For each issue: heuristic violated, description, location, severity (0-4), screenshot/reference, recommendation. ## Severity Scale - 0: Not a usability problem - 1: Cosmetic only - 2: Minor problem - 3: Major problem (important to fix) - 4: Catastrophe (must fix before release) ## Best Practices - Multiple evaluators find more issues (3-5 ideal) - Evaluate independently before comparing - Focus on real user tasks, not edge cases - Don't just find problems — suggest solutions - Combine with real user testing for complete picture
Facilitate structured design critiques with clear feedback frameworks and actionable outcomes.
Identify, categorize, and prioritize accumulated design inconsistencies and structural problems across a product.
Communicate design's contribution to business and user outcomes in terms that resonate with stakeholders.
Create QA checklists for verifying design implementation accuracy.
Establish design review gates with criteria, checklists, and approval workflows.
Plan and facilitate design sprints from challenge framing through prototype testing.
Create developer handoff specifications with measurements, behaviors, assets, and edge cases.
Design team workflows covering task management, collaboration rituals, and tooling.