Visually pleasing composition:

• Meaningful contrast between screen elements.

• Create groupings. E.g. Birth date grouping in a form.

• Align screen elements properly. E.g. screen elements on web page. Screen based elements are textbox, radio buttons, checkboxes etc.

• Provide 3D representations.

Comprehensibility:

• Application should answer following questions:

  • What to do?

  • What to look at?

  • When to do it?

  • Where to do it

  • Why to do it?

  • How to do it?

• System must be easy to understand and learn.

Consistency:

• Application should have an appropriate level of consistency. E.g. All pages same format.

• The position of standard elements should not change.

• Commands & Menus should have same format. E.g. ctrl+p, ctrl+s.

• Key shortcuts should be consistent across the system.

• If past application or similar type of application have created shortcuts. Do not make changes unless there is a compelling reason to do it.

Recoverability:

• User should be able to recover from errors.

• Help user in recognizing and recovering from errors. E.g. adding product to chart, deleting product. In short, Undo action must be provide. (ctrl+z)

• Application should permit commands or actions to be reversed. E.g. Adding or removing item from cart.

• Commands or actions to be reversed.

• Prevent errors from occurring wherever possible.

• When an error does occur, provide constructive messages. E.g. incorrect debit card number enter error.

• Ensure that user never loses their work due to any technical error or H/W S/W problems.

User Guidance:

• Meaningful feedback/help should be provided.

• Help and documentation should be given.

• On-line manuals should be provided.

• System must be useful in supporting the completion of required objectives faster and in more efficient manner.

User Diversity:

• Application should also consider people with disabilities such as visual problem, hearing problem.
• E.g. some users have seeing difficulties, so larger text should be available.

Simplicity:

• Provide as simple interface as possible.

• Provide common and necessary functions first.

• Prominently feature important functions. E.g. RAM function

• Hide less frequently used functions. E.g. Non popular brands.

• Minimal surprise: if a command operates in known way, the user should be able to predict the operation of comparable commands.

• Permit easy personalization of UI.

• Encourage user in understanding the system.

• It leads to higher user satisfaction.

Flexibility:

• The user shall be able to enter or exit with little or no effort. E.g. log in and log out options should be visible.

• Provide for flexible interaction, same action through keyboard commands, mouse movements or voice recognition.

• The user shall be able to determine where he has come from and what alternate exist for a transition to a new task.

• Permit the user to focus on its task, without concern for technical details of the interface. Workings of inside system should be invisible to user.

Responsiveness:

• The system must rapidly respond to users request.

• Provide proper feedback.

• Unexpected/slow/long download computer response time may also lead to frustration and Boredom.

• A bored person is also likely to make performance errors.

• Feedback may be visual, change in shape of mouse pointer, textual feedback. E.g. eject pen drive message.

• Feedback can also be provided through sound. E.g. Pen drive attached to system, windows startup and shutdown sound, response of clicking icons on phone.

Safety:

• User must be guarded from making mistakes.

• Hints and reminders must be provided to make users aware from making errors.

Efficiency:

• Minimize eye and hand movements.

• Navigation path should be as short as possible.

• Eye movement through a screen should be obvious and sequential.