3.2. The Mockup DUE Tool
The Mockup Design Usability Evaluation (Mockup DUE) tool was developed in order to assist inspectors in applying the Web DUE technique. By using the Mockup DUE tool, inspectors can save time by not having to simulate the navigation between the different mockups of the application. Furthermore, since the Web DUE technique is embedded in the tool, the inspectors can easily switch between web page zones and the lists of verification items, which can enhance their performance (see Section 2 –Feature 3) [15]. The Mockup DUE tool supports two main activities: planning and inspection. During the planning stage, the moderators load mockups and link them so that inspectors can use the Mockup DUE tool to carry out the inspection. Then, during the inspection, the inspectors use the Mockup DUE tool to inspect a set of previously mapped mockups using the Web DUE technique. Figure 2 shows the layout of the Mockup DUE tool when it is used to carry out an inspection. In Figure 2, Element 1 shows the different functionalities of the tool: point problems, add notes and create reports. Furthermore, inspectors can view the Web DUE technique in Element 2. In this part of the screen inspectors can also read a description for each Web page zone and find explanations/examples for each verification item (see an explanation/example in Table 1). Finally, the mockups are shown in Element 3 according to the inspector’s actions. This means, that if the inspector clicks in a link within the mockup, the tool will load the subsequent mockup, simulating navigation. Also, inspectors can describe and point the identified problemsas shown in Figure 2–Element 3. One of the advantages of the tool is its ability to create complete inspection reports. Figure 3 shows an example of such reports containing information about the inspector, the list of user interaction problems and notes, and the mockups with the exact location of the identified problems. These reports can be used by the development team to discuss changes in the design of the application and validate them with users.