ABSTRACT
The cognitive walk-through method (CWM) is a usability inspection method (also known as discount usability methods) that rests on the assumptions that evaluators are capable of taking the perspective of the user and can apply this user perspective to a task scenario to identify design problems. It is analytical and is similar to task analysis. Other usability inspection methods are heuristic evaluation, claims analysis, and design reviews. Researchers have used CWMs to identify usability problems related to product or system learnability. The user is viewed as approaching the task in an exploratory manner. According to Poison et al. (1992), users interact with a technology by exploring within the context of use, rather than using a systematic, highly structured approach. The best evaluators are capable of reasoning hypothetically and are able to explore a product from the perspective of a user. Likewise, a good evaluator for a CWM is one who can identify with users’ preexisting schemas and mental models that will influence exploration and product use.
