Glossary
Cognitive walkthrough
What is a Cognitive Walkthrough?
A cognitive walkthrough is a usability inspection method where evaluators step through a task sequence from a new user's perspective, asking at each step whether users would know what to do and understand the system's feedback.
How it works
At each step, evaluators ask whether the user will pursue the intended goal, notice the relevant action, connect that action with the goal, and understand the result. A “no” identifies a potential usability problem to investigate. The focus is learnability: can a new user work out what to do?
Applied example
A registration form is accessible only by swiping, with no visible cue. An evaluator stepping through registration asks, “How would a new user know to swipe here?” A visible Sign Up button is a plausible fix. Test it with users to find out whether it solves the problem.
Why it matters
A walkthrough can expose assumptions about what users already know. It is an inspection by evaluators, so its findings are predictions to investigate, not observations of people using the product.