Itqualityassurance
- What is an example of error prevention in Nielsen's Ten heuristics?
- What should you avoid doing to prevent user errors?
- What is error prevention?
- Why is it not proper for a computer to blame user when error happens?
What is an example of error prevention in Nielsen's Ten heuristics?
5) Error prevention
This Nielsen heuristic proposes that a good design should always prevent problems from occurring. Think of a delete files button, for example. We must assume that users might accidentally click this button or that they can imagine a different result from it.
What should you avoid doing to prevent user errors?
Prevent mistakes by helping the user to build a good mental model of your interface. Use design patterns that communicate how they work to users, encourage users to double-check their work (especially before deleting), and warn before mistakes are made.
What is error prevention?
Essentially, it involves alerting a user when they're making an error, with the intention to make it easy for them to do whatever it is they are doing without making a mistake. The main reason this principle of error prevention is important is that we humans are prone to- and will always make mistakes.
Why is it not proper for a computer to blame user when error happens?
The term “user error” implies that the user is at fault for having done something wrong. Not so. The designer is at fault for making it too easy for the user to commit the error. Therefore, the solution to user errors is not to scold users, to ask them to try harder, or to give them more extensive training.
