Presentation
Heuristics that Move the Needle: Selection Strategies for Success
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionHeuristic evaluation is a well-established human factors method for assessing the usability of medical devices, enabling teams to identify potential user interface issues before they impact end users or result in costly redesign. Traditionally, evaluators have referenced broad frameworks such as Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics or Shneiderman’s Eight Golden Rules to guide their assessments. While these overarching principles offer a useful foundation, our experience shows that translating them into more granular, tailored heuristics leads to more actionable insights and traceable outcomes. This approach empowers teams to address usability concerns earlier in the development process, reducing risk and improving product quality.
This presentation explores the challenge of developing and selecting specific usability heuristics that generate relevant, use-case-driven findings for medical device evaluation. We address the current gap in industry guidance regarding the creation and selection of heuristics that are both meaningful and actionable for particular devices or user scenarios. Our methodology includes best practices for building and maintaining a heuristics library, identifying and refining heuristics from established frameworks, and adapting them to the unique requirements of each assessment.
The practical benefits of this approach are demonstrated through improved traceability: findings from heuristic evaluations can be directly linked to design recommendations, risk control measures, or actionable items in project management systems such as Jira. This not only streamlines reporting but also strengthens needs mapping and use specification—key elements for regulatory submissions and continuous product improvement. Attendees will gain practical strategies for operationalizing heuristic evaluation in medical device development, ensuring that findings are both meaningful and actionable throughout the product lifecycle.
This presentation explores the challenge of developing and selecting specific usability heuristics that generate relevant, use-case-driven findings for medical device evaluation. We address the current gap in industry guidance regarding the creation and selection of heuristics that are both meaningful and actionable for particular devices or user scenarios. Our methodology includes best practices for building and maintaining a heuristics library, identifying and refining heuristics from established frameworks, and adapting them to the unique requirements of each assessment.
The practical benefits of this approach are demonstrated through improved traceability: findings from heuristic evaluations can be directly linked to design recommendations, risk control measures, or actionable items in project management systems such as Jira. This not only streamlines reporting but also strengthens needs mapping and use specification—key elements for regulatory submissions and continuous product improvement. Attendees will gain practical strategies for operationalizing heuristic evaluation in medical device development, ensuring that findings are both meaningful and actionable throughout the product lifecycle.
Event Type
Poster Presentation
TimeMonday, March 234:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
LocationRhinelander Gallery
Medical and Drug Delivery Devices