NIELSEN SunSoft ROBERT L . MACK IBM

The cognitive walkthrough (Lewis et al. 1990; Polson et al. 1992a) is a usability inspection method that focuses on evaluating a design for ease of learning, particularly by exploration. This focus is motivated by the observation that many users prefer to learn software by exploration (Carroll and Rosson 1987; Fischer 199 1). Instead of investing time for comprehensive formal training when a s o h a r e package is first acquired, users prefer to learn about its functionality while they work at their usual tasks, acquiring knowledge of how to use new features only when their work actually requires them. This incremental approach to learning ensures that the cost of learning a new feature is in part determined by the feature's immediate benefit to the user.