An Expert Usability Review is an inspection method designed to identify usability problems in a product or service. The review is carried out by a small group of usability experts (between 1 and 4), who analyse the product or service to identify any potential usability issues . This Expert Usability Review is one of the few methods within the user centered design process that does not involve any direct contact with end users. Why the formal method can be too rigid

The mainstream literature on this method often refers to the more formal method of Heuristic Evaluation, which refers to experts reviewing a graphical user interface for its adherence to common usability guidelines (or heuristics).

Whilst the Heuristic Evaluation is a common method used in more formal or academic circles, it could be argued that this method is too rigid and often fails to meet the needs of most clients. Assessing an interface by simply checking boxes to determine where it does or does not meet so called usability guidelines does not place enough value upon the context of use, or the goals of the system. The evaluation relies solely upon usability guidelines that are often years old and the result of research on graphical user interfaces, which may be completely different to the one being reviewed.

Many guidelines are well meaning, but when adhered to by the letter, they can often lead to poor usability decisions because the designer does not take into account their specific users, the context they will be using the system, and the goals of the product or service. Simply following guidelines can be misleading and can give a false sense of security that an interface is usable, when in fact it is not. For this reason, the following flexible expert usability review method is better suited to meeting customer and business needs. An alternative approach

This expert review approach pays full attention to the context, the nature of the system being evaluated, and the goals of the business. The technique can be used more flexibly on screen based technology as well as physical products and services, and aims to fully understand user needs rather than reducing them down to a checklist.

This method first requires an understanding of who the users of the system are and what the business goals are, so the initial brief is crucial. The expert develops the information on the end users into user profiles or personas (if these have not already been provided) and works with the client to narrow down the personas into one or two priority users. Each priority user should then be looked at in more detail to outline their typical goals and scenarios when using the product or service. Once this has been done, the expert usability review can begin.

For each of the priority users, the expert attempts to achieve the priority users’ goals with the product or service in question. By placing themselves in the shoes of the potential user, the expert will examine the interface in context to make recommendations that help the customer achieve their user goals and the product owner to better achieve their business goals.

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