Expert evaluation: Cognitive Walkthrough
TL;DR
Evaluate learning ease of an interface for new users.
Detailed description
Cognitive Walkthrough is an expert evaluation methodology that simulates the mental process of a new user attempting to complete specific tasks in an interface. This technique examines each required action from the perspective of cognitive theory, evaluating whether the user can predict the correct action, find the necessary controls, and understand system feedback. Research demonstrates its effectiveness in identifying learnability and discoverability problems (Interaction Design Foundation). It is especially valuable for evaluating complex flows and onboarding of new users.
Main objective
Evaluate learning ease of an interface for new users.
When to use it
Early stages with low-fidelity prototypes.
Effort level
MediumRecommended number of users
1–3 expertsAdvantages
Disadvantages
When to use
Metrics
Practical example
Simulate a new user making a mobile banking transfer step by step.