Heuristic Evaluation: Comparing Generic and Specific Usability Heuristics for Identification of Usability Problems in a Living Museum Mobile Guide App

Table 2

Smartphone mobile application heuristics (SMART).

No	SMART	Description
	Provide immediate notification of application status	Users are informed from the immediate application status.
	Use a theme and consistent terms, as well as conventions and standards familiar to the user	Apply consistent themes for the screen of mobile application. Create a style guide and concepts that users are familiar with such as the same effects when gestures are used.
	Prevent errors where possible; assist users should an error occur	Allows the mobile application to be error-proofed. If an error occurs, they let the users understand the error and offer advice to fix the error.
	Display an overlay pointing out the main features when appropriate or requested	An overlay pointing out main features allows first-time users to get up-and-running quickly.
	Each interface should focus on one task	To ensure that mobile interfaces are less cluttered and simple to the point.
	Design a visually pleasing interface	Mobile interfaces that are attractive are more memorable and therefore used more often. Users are also more forgiving of attractive interfaces.
	Intuitive interfaces make for easier user journeys	Mobile interfaces should be easy to learn in which next steps are obvious so that allows the users to complete their tasks easily.
	Design a clear navigable path to task completion	Users are able to see the right way to interact with the application and navigate their way to task completion.
	Allow configuration options and shortcuts	Depending on the target user, the mobile application might allow configuration options and shortcuts to the most important information and frequent tasks.
	Cater for diverse mobile environments	Allow the users to change the interface brightness and sound settings.
	Facilitate easier input	Ensure users can input content easily and accurately. For instance, displaying keyboards button as clear as possible.
	Use the camera, microphone, and sensors when appropriate to lessen the users’ workload	Consider the use of the camera, microphone, and sensors to reduce the users’ workload.
	Create an aesthetic and identifiable icon	The icon should be aesthetic and identifiable because icon is what a user first sees when searching for the application.

Note. Adapted from “Towards the Development of Usability Heuristics for Native Smartphone Mobile Applications,” by G. Joyce and M. Lilley, 2014 [18].