What does heuristic evaluation mean in UX?

Heuristic evaluation refers to a usability inspection method where evaluators use a set of established principles, known as heuristics, to identify usability issues within a user interface. This process typically involves a small group of evaluators who review the interface independently and rely on their knowledge of usability guidelines to pinpoint problems.

The effectiveness of heuristic evaluation lies in its structured yet flexible approach, allowing for rapid assessment and identification of potential user experience flaws. By focusing on general principles, such as visibility of system status, user control and freedom, and error prevention, evaluators can systematically assess the interface's usability, leading to insightful recommendations for improvement.

The other options do not capture the essence of heuristic evaluation. For instance, a comprehensive user testing session leans towards gathering data from actual users interacting with a product rather than evaluators using guidelines. Defining user personas focuses on understanding user characteristics and behaviors for design purposes, while gathering qualitative data typically involves interviews or surveys rather than inspection methods based on heuristics.