heuristic-review

name	Heuristic Review
description	"Use when reviewing a UI for usability defects, running a Nielsen heuristic evaluation, or auditing accessibility. Triggers on "UX review", "heuristic", "usability", "Nielsen", "WCAG", "a11y", "accessibility audit"."

Heuristic Review

When to invoke

• "Review this dashboard screen for usability issues."
• "Run a heuristic evaluation on the onboarding flow."
• "Check if this form meets WCAG 2.2 AA."

Nielsen heuristics (checklist)

1. Visibility of system status: user always knows what is happening.
2. Match system and real world: language matches the user's vocabulary.
3. User control and freedom: undo, redo, cancel are always available.
4. Consistency and standards: same pattern = same meaning.
5. Error prevention: confirmation on destructive actions.
6. Recognition over recall: options visible, not memorised.
7. Flexibility and efficiency: shortcuts for experts, clarity for novices.
8. Aesthetic and minimalist design: no visual noise.
9. Help users recognise, diagnose, recover from errors: plain language, actionable.
10. Help and documentation: discoverable, task-oriented.

WCAG 2.2 AA quick checks

• Colour contrast 4.5:1 text, 3:1 UI components.
• All interactive elements reachable by keyboard.
• Focus visible on every element.
• Alt text on meaningful images; empty alt on decorative.
• Form fields have associated labels.
• No auto-playing audio/video over 3 seconds.
• Error messages identify the field and suggest a fix.
• Touch targets at least 24x24 CSS px.

Review process

1. Walk 3 primary flows as a first-time user. Note every friction point.
2. Score each defect: severity 1 (cosmetic) - 4 (blocker), frequency 1-4.
3. Cluster by heuristic. Look for systemic issues, not one-offs.
4. Recommend the smallest fix that removes the defect.

Output template

## Heuristic Review - <Screen/Flow>

### Summary
- Screens reviewed: 7
- Defects found: 23 (4 blockers, 9 major, 10 minor)
- Heuristics most violated: #3 (user control), #5 (error prevention)

### Defects (top 10)
| ID | Severity | Heuristic | Location | Issue | Fix |
|----|----------|-----------|----------|-------|-----|
| 001 | 4 | H9 | Checkout error | "Err 500" shown to user | Replace with plain-language copy and retry action |

Quality gate

Every defect must cite a heuristic or WCAG criterion. Subjective opinions do not belong in a review.