Enhanced Cognitive Walkthrough: Development of the Cognitive Walkthrough Method to Better Predict, Identify, and Present Usability Problems
Table 4
The ECW analysis template.
(a)
3.0
Set wake-up alarm
Set wake-up alarm
Failure/success story
Usability problem
PS
PT
Do not know. It depends on whether the user has read the manual or has the expectation of being able to execute this setting.
User does not expect functionality
3
U
Yes, there is an icon with LED in the user interface.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, probably. The icon has the appearance of a classic wake-up bell.
Unclear icon
4
T
Yes, the LED for wake-up alarm is lit.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, the symbol for wake-up in the display appears or disappears.
No usability problem
5
—
(b)
3.1
Enter wake-up alarm mode
Press the function button once
PS
PT
Yes, probably. The users know that they have to enter a mode to be able to set the wake-up alarm.
User does not expect action
4
U
Yes. The function button is specifically marked and accessible.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, probably. The function button is marked with a symbol for circular change, and the users can use the method of elimination.
The function button can be hard to interpret
4
T
Yes, the users have motoric precision and force to press the button.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, the lit LEDs change and the wake-up time is shown in the display.
No usability problem
5
—
(c)
3.2
Activate wake-up alarm
Press the increase button once
PS
PT
Do not know. It depends on the user’s mental model of which order the users expect the sequence of action to be in.
User does not expect action
3
S
Yes. The increase button is specifically marked and accessible.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes. This is the only button that is plausible to use to activate the wake-up alarm.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, the users have motoric precision and force to press the button.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, the symbol for activated wake-up alarm becomes visible in the display.
No usability problem
5
—
(d)
3.3
Shift to setting of wake-up time
Press the function button once
PS
PT
Yes, probably. The users have the goal of setting the wake-up time.
User does not expect action
4
S
Yes. The function button is specifically marked and accessible.
No usability problem
5
—
No, uncertain. The users may not realise that they must press the function button to be able to set the wake-up time.
Unclear marking of correct action
2
T
Yes, the users have motoric precision and force to press the button.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, probably. The wake-up time starts to flash.
Unclear feedback
4
F
(e)
3.4
Adjust wake-up time
Press increase or decrease buttons until the desired wake-up time is shown
PS
PT
Yes. The users have the goal of setting the wake-up time.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, the increase and decrease buttons are specifically marked and accessible.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, plus and minus are well-recognised symbols for increasing and decreasing parameters.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, the users have motoric precision and force to press the button.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, probably. The wake-up time shown in the display changes concurrently with the button pressings. However, the pressing changes time to minutes and the hours follow.
Unclear feedback
4
F
(f)
3.5
Exit setting of wake-up time
Press the function button three times to exit setting of wake-up time
PS
PT
Yes. It is natural to exit the setting mode.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes. The function button is specifically marked and accessible.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes. The function button is the logical selection to go further.
No usability problem
5
—
Yes, the user has motoric precision and force to press the button.
No usability problem
5
—
Do not know. The time stops flashing, but the interface shows the set pressure directly.