Heuristic Evaluation
January 14, 2025
Overview:
The heuristic evaluation was conducted to identify usability issues in the Parkly Prototype. We used five of Nielsen's Usability Heuristics to evaluate the design. Each heuristic is rated on a Likert scale from 1 (poor usability) to 5 (excellent usability).
Evaluation Results:
Definition: The Prototype should provide instant feedback for the user's actions.
Positive Observations:
Example 1: The prototype provides a yellow colored star when a spot is saved , ensuring that the user's action to save the spot was successful.
Example 2: A smaller menu at the bottom of the screen is visible and displaying the relevant information about environmental parking, pressing the "up arrow" brings out a slightly bigger menu making it possible for the user to pay for parking.
Potential Issues:
Paying for parking options can be confusing and not being clear enough on how you actually pay for the parking.
Rating: Student 1 (4)
Rating: Student 2 (4)
Match Between System and the Real World
Definition: The interface should use familiar concepts, language, and conventions.
Positive Observations:
Example 1: The Prototype utilizes universally recognized colors for notifying the user when environmental parking is due , by using red,yellow and green that mimic traffic lights.
Example 2: the prototype also uses universally recognized icons for example , magnifying glass for searching and star for saved places aka favorites.
Potential Issues:
A potential issue that could occur is that new users or inexperienced users of technology could be confused about what the icons do , due to the lack of labels.
Rating: Student 1 (4)
Rating: Student 2 (3)
Recognition Rather Than Recall:
Definition: Minimize memory load by making actions and options visible.
Positive Observations:
Example 1: Much like the match to the real world, we utilized recognizable icons and colors to minimize the user's memory load.
Example 2: The home and settings are located at the bottom of the screen, a feature common in most apps, making navigation intuitive for users.
Potential Issues:
Like stated in "Match Between System and the Real World," the lack of labels on the icons could be confusing for some users.
Rating: Student 1 (4)
Rating: Student 2 (3)
Flexibility and Efficiency of Use:
Definition: The system should cater to both novice and experienced users.
Positive Observations:
Example 1: Experienced users who have created accounts can utilize tools such as saved parking, favorites, and navigation shortcuts using the pin icon.
Example 2: Allowing users to use Parkly without signing up caters to inexperienced users, enabling them to get started quickly and reducing hesitation.
Example 3: Registered users have the option to use shortcuts and favorites, offering more control and customization, thereby enhancing the app's efficiency.
Potential Issues:
Experienced users might expect more advanced features when registered.
Rating: Student 1 (4)
Rating: Student 2 (4)
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design:
Definition: The interface should avoid unnecessary elements and focus on essential features.
Positive Observations:
Example 1: Our design uses a single map-based interface to reduce clutter and allow users to focus on the primary task of finding parking.
Example 2: Icons are used to eliminate complex and crowded menus, making the interface visually clean and straightforward.
Example 3: By eliminating the need to register to use the app, we allow users to access the prototype's core purpose—finding parking.
Potential Issues:
The minimalistic approach could be too simplistic for users who expect more advanced features after registering.
Rating: Student 1 (4)
Rating: Student 2 (4)