There are many articles that extol the merits of UX (User Experience) / UI (User Interface). If this discipline appears in France in the early 2000s, it is from 2010 that it becomes a central element of business development. Even if its non-fashion effect is proven, it remains pretty vague for the greatest number.

More specifically, IT managers are led to ask the question of the ergonomics of their applications. If most times, the answer is immediate: “My users can not find what they are looking for”, “the traffic on my site drops exponentially” … I often hear “My application is not pretty “”… modern”etc. Behind these somewhat abstract concepts is a subject. The most difficult remains to objectify these criteria. What would make my application ergonomic?

The ergonomic criteria of Bastien & Scapin

The criteria stated above are those of Bastien & Scapin. They have set a set of heuristics since 1993 … characteristics of the interface that will determine its usability (or ergonomics). If many others appeared later, I find those of Bastien & Scapin the most talking! If you follow the principles that follow, your application will necessarily have a big competitive advantage!

1. Guide the user in his navigation

I display clues that facilitate its interactions, make the interface readable, gather information logically, and immediately inform the user of the effect of his actions.

2. Reduce the user's workload

Make simple manipulations, design short processes, display succinct data.

3. Give control to the user

My application only executes the actions requested by the user, it remains free to act. There is no ambiguity about the outcome of his actions.

4. Adapt the interface.

The user can customize his interface, he has several ways to perform a task. My app guides novices and offers advanced options for connoisseurs.

5. Prevent and detect errors

The interface requests confirmation for the impacting treatments, the messages are written in a clear way, they are didactic. The user has the option to cancel his actions.

6. Make the interface seamless

The interface maintains a consistent, consistent logic, the design respects the company's charter, and is unique.

7. View known codes

Reuse known codes, avoid expert terms. Be wary of pictograms, which may have different meanings depending on the person.

8. Adapt the interface to the context of use

Adapt the interface according to the task performed, the profile of the user or the step in the business process.