Cognitive Walkthrough

Evaluation method based on the idea

that
the user learns about the interface in an
exploratory way,
the user has goals,
the user is applying simple means-ends
reasoning.

Cognitive Walkthrough
Evaluation by an expert, who goes
through a set task while imitating user
performance

Preparation: We need four

things
1. User description including level of experience with
computers and any assumptions made by the
designer
2. System description including operations and
performance (e.g. paper design)
3. Task description specifying the task that the expert
has to carry out from users point of view
4. Action sequence describing the system display
and the user actions needed to complete the given
task. One system display and one user action
together are one step.
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Process of carrying out a

Cognitive Walkthrough
Prototype, user description, system description,
task description and action list has to be
prepared by the designer/developer
Designer gives these document to an expert.
The expert reads the descriptions.
The expert carries out the task by following the
action list.
The expert asks the following questions with
EACH step of the action list:
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Questions Cognitive
Walkthrough
1. Is the next goal clear at this stage?
2. Is the appropriate action obvious?
3. Is it clear that this action leads to the
goal?
4. What problems are there in performing
the action?

Example: the Automatic Nail

Painter
The automatic nail painter is a machine
with which one can have ones nails
painted.

User Description
Automatic Nail Painter
The users are assumed to have no prior
knowledge of how to operate the
Automatic Nail Painter. However, they are
assumed to have experience in putting
nail varnish on nails manually

System Description
Automatic Nail Painter
The system allows one finger to be placed
into the machine at a time. The user
programmes the machine for use by
choosing:
- the number of fingers to be varnished
- the colours of the varnish to be used
- the number of coatings to be applied
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Task Description
Automatic Nail Painter
The user must get all ten fingers
varnished with one coat of purple varnish.
The system is already switched on when
the user begins his/her task. The task is
completed, when the tenth fingernail is
varnished.

Action list
Automatic Nail Painter
System: System displays How many fingers do
you want to varnish?
User action: user selects number 10 by pressing
the + or the - button until the appropriate
number is shown
System: System responds by displaying the
current number of fingers selected to be
varnished.
User action: User presses ok when the correct
number has been displayed
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Action list
Automatic Nail Painter (cont.)
System: System displays choose the colour of varnish
you wish to apply.
User action: User must select the colour purple by
choosing from the colour menu. This includes scrolling
up and down until s/he finds purple. S/he then has to
press the OK button.
System: Systems displays how many coats do you want
to apply?
User action: User selects the number of coats by
pressing the + or - button until the 1 is shown.
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Action list
Automatic Nail Painter (cont.)
System: System displays the number of fingers to be
varnished, the colour of the varnish and the number of
coats to be applied. System asks for confirmation
User action: User presses OK to confirm
System: System displays Press start to begin
varnishing.
User action: User presses start button
etc.

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Step 1- Question 1
Automatic Nail Painter
From the action list: Step 1
System: System displays How many fingers do you
want to varnish?
User action: user selects number 10 by pressing the + or
the - button until the appropriate number is shown
Question 1:
Is the goal clear at this stage? Not completely.
The user is asked to state the number of fingers to be
varnished. He could be thinking that the system deals
with one hand at a time.
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Step 1 - Questions 2, 3, and 4

Automatic Nail Painter
Question 2:
Is the appropriate action obvious? No.
The system dos neither indicate that the user has to use
the + and - buttons nor explain their use.
Question 3:
Is it clear that this action leads to the goal? Yes
If the user presses the + and - button the numbers are
clearly displayed.
Question 4:
What problems are there in performing the action?
The action is simple to perform once the user has
discovered the use of the buttons.

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Step 2 Question 1
Automatic Nailpainter
?

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