Derived from various usability literature are 8 usability inspection criteria meant to be used in critiques and evaluations of web applications.
Adapting an application's features to a user’s changing needs
- The set of functions offered by the system best caters to the needs and requirements of user
- Within a system state, a range of appropriate options are presented to perform an operation
Exchange of states and knowledge between an application and a user
- User is aware of their location, current state is visible, errors are prominent and actions are visible
- Material relating to the context of use is available for an object or its state and extended where needed
Degree to which an application’s contents are clear to users
- Information conveyed by the system is accurate with certain components given emphasis
- Objects are discernible, and grouped appropriately without appearing cluttered or misaligned
Cognitive load of an interface and its content presented to a user
- System perpetuates a coherent conceptual model of function and organization from relevant metaphors
- Complex interactions are avoided while the steps to perform a function are minimized and without repetition
- 30 Usability Principles, Connell & Hammond
- Designing Effective Speech Interfaces, Weinschenk and Barker
- Heuristics for User Interface Design, Nielsen
- 8 Steps to an Intuitive UI, McKay