Services > Cognitive Walkthroughs

Description

A cognitive walkthrough is an exercise where a group of experts, each with a different role in the product's development, collaborate their expertise to evaluate a product or system. Klein Research facilitates this group analysis, where the group plays the role of the user and "walks through" the interface to explore how the user would accomplish a determined set of tasks. In some cases where there are different user types, the group will explore how each type of user would understand and interact with the product.

The value of a cognitive walkthrough is that it offers a bigger picture by encompassing a variety of perspectives (e.g. design, business, technical, legal, usability). It does not require users, and evaluator schedules permitting, it can be conducted relatively quickly with a short lead time.

Prior to the cognitive walkthrough, Klein Research meets with the project team to determine the task scenarios and project goals, the correct action for each task, and the types of users. We facilitate the walkthrough, outlining the tasks and keeping the conversation focused on the user perspective.

Number of participants

A cognitive walkthrough can take place with as few as two evaluators, but it is more effective if it includes a variety of experts, each with a different perspective or role in the product development cycle.

Deliverables

Two findings reports are produced: the high-level summary of findings and the detailed results. Both reports summarize and analyze data gathered in the cognitive walkthrough. The detailed results document can include a set of recommendations for improving the product or system or a set of ideas on what the product should include if tested in the early stages of development.

The findings reports are typically delivered in Word or PDF format. If requested, summarized findings and recommendations can be developed into a PowerPoint presentation.

Timeline

The preparation and facilitation of a cognitive walkthrough can take as few as three business days after receiving a purchase commitment. In most cases, the evaluation is completed in one scheduled meeting. The time required to analyze data and produce the findings report can vary depending on the extent of the analysis and the number of evaluators. Typically results are available five to ten business days after the cognitive walkthrough.