← VCE Innovative Solutions

Techniques for Testing - Expert Review

A testing technique where a knowledgeable specialist examines a solution against established guidelines to find usability and design issues

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U2O1 - Innovative Solutions — Module 17, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Designing user interfaces and experiences — Module 22, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 16, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 154, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Innovative Digital Solutions — Module 80

Understanding Techniques for Testing - Expert Review in VCE Innovative Solutions

What it does: This description matches expert review, which relies on a specialist instead of end users. The report produced after an expert review lists issues and recommendations. Experts check solutions against recognised, pre-existing usability guidelines. Findings from an expert review should guide improvements to the solution's design. Guidelines are the established standards an expert checks a solution against.

Common mistakes: Expert review does not require real end users — that describes user testing instead. Expert review relies on established, recognised guidelines, not ones made up on the spot.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Part 2 of 2) and word search (All modules).

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Learning
Duo
Does expert review require real end users to take part?
TrueFalse
Matches
An expert reviewed the app but never wrote down any findings
↓
Expert review findings should be documented in a report
Applying
Meanings
Term
Expert review
Meaning
A testing technique where a knowledgeable specialist examines a solution against established guidelines to find usability and design issues
Practice
1. Guidelines
Testing
Gaps
1.
Check Answer
Spots
2The specialist checks the solution against guidelines.
3Expert review always requires real end users to take part.

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Quick Questions

1. Does expert review require real end users to take part?
A. True
B. False ✓
Expert review is carried out by a specialist, not real end users — that's user testing instead.
2. Is expert review carried out by a knowledgeable specialist?
A. True ✓
B. False
Expert review relies on a specialist's knowledge to identify usability issues.
3. Are guidelines used in expert review usually established beforehand?
A. False
B. True ✓
Experts check solutions against recognised, pre-existing usability guidelines.
4. Is expert review generally faster or slower than testing with many users?
A. Faster ✓
B. Slower
Expert review can be quicker since it doesn't require recruiting and scheduling multiple users.
5. Should findings from an expert review be documented in a report?
A. Yes ✓
B. No
Expert review findings are typically written up in a report with recommendations.

Match the Pairs

A specialist examines a solution against usability guidelines → Expert review
Established rules used to check layout, navigation, or accessibility → Guidelines
A testing technique that does not require real end users → Expert review
A document listing identified issues and suggested fixes → Expert review report
An expert reviewed the app but never wrote down any findings → Expert review findings should be documented in a report
A reviewer with no relevant experience was asked to run the expert review → An expert reviewer needs relevant knowledge and experience to be effective

Key Term

Expert review
A testing technique where a knowledgeable specialist examines a solution against established guidelines to find usability and design issues

Fill in the Blanks

1. 1. Guidelines 2. Specialist 3. Report
Hint: Type the word for the established rules experts check against
2. 1. Guidelines 2. Specialist 3. Report
Hint: Type the word for the knowledgeable person doing the review
3. 1. Guidelines 2. Specialist 3. Report
Hint: Type the word for the document listing findings
4. Expert review does not require real end users
Hint: Type the word for the people who don't need to be involved
5. Findings are documented with recommendations
Hint: Type the word for the suggested improvements listed in the report

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Expert review is carried out by a knowledgeable specialist.
B The specialist checks the solution against guidelines.
C Expert review always requires real end users to take part.
D Findings are recorded in a report.
Line C — Expert review does not require real end users — that describes user testing instead.
Question 2
A Experts use established heuristics or guidelines.
B These guidelines help spot common usability problems.
C Guidelines used in expert review are made up on the spot.
D This makes the review more consistent and reliable.
Line C — Expert review relies on established, recognised guidelines, not ones made up on the spot.
Question 3
A An expert examines a solution's design and usability.
B They record any issues they notice.
C They can also suggest possible improvements.
D Expert reviewers must never document their findings.
Line D — Expert reviewers should document their findings, usually in a report with recommendations.
Question 4
A Expert review can happen without involving many people.
B A single specialist can carry out the whole review.
C This makes it faster than testing with many users.
D Expert review always takes longer than user testing.
Line D — Expert review is often faster than user testing, since it doesn't require recruiting and scheduling multiple users.
Question 5
A A report from an expert review lists identified issues.
B It may also include suggested fixes.
C This report can guide the next stage of development.
D Expert review reports are never shared with the design team.
Line D — Expert review reports are meant to be shared with the design team, so findings can be acted on.

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