Heuristic evaluation is a usability inspection method used to identify problems in a user interface (UI) design. Evaluators, typically usability experts, examine the interface and assess how well it adheres to a set of established principles, called heuristics. These heuristics act as rules of thumb to guide the evaluation.

Here are some key points about heuristic evaluation:

The main goal is to find usability issues in the UI design before user testing or product launch.
Benefits: It’s a relatively inexpensive and efficient way to catch major usability problems early in the design process.

There are various sets of heuristics available, but they all cover similar core usability principles. A popular set is the Nielsen-Molich heuristics which include principles like visibility of system status, match between system and the real world, and user control and freedom.

By applying these heuristics, evaluators can identify potential problems such as unclear error messages, confusing navigation, or lack of consistency in design elements. This feedback helps improve the overall usability of the interface.