Usability inspection

Usability inspection offers a practical alternative when you can't access real users for testing. These methods rely on expert evaluation using established principles rather than direct user feedback. Think of it as having experienced architects review your blueprints when you can't tour the building with residents.

The inspection process involves evaluators systematically examining your wireframes against usability principles. These experts identify potential problems users might encounter, from confusing navigation to missing functionality. Unlike user testing, inspection can happen immediately without recruitment delays or scheduling conflicts.

Common inspection methods include heuristic evaluation, cognitive walkthrough, feature inspection, and consistency inspection.^[1] Each method approaches evaluation differently but shares the goal of uncovering usability issues before they reach users. The key advantage is speed and flexibility in your testing timeline.