This is a short User Experience (UX) heauristic review of a utility called Bulk Rename Utility. It is a very old and still popular utility and based on the user feedback, this heuristic has been prepared.

1. Bulk Rename Utility
User Experience Review
Continuous Evaluation. Continuous Improvement.

2. Introduction
Bulk Rename Utility is a free file renaming software for Windows. It allows
users to easily rename files and entire folders based upon extremely flexible
criteria. Few of it’s key features are:
 Renaming multiple files quickly in many ways: add, replace, insert text into file names.
 Convert case, add numbers. Remove or change file extensions.
 Check the detailed preview before renaming.
 Rename photos using EXIF meta data (i.e. "Date Picture Taken", "Resolution" and other information
embedded in all JPG photo files) Rename your holiday pictures from a meaningless dsc1790.jpg to
NewYork1.jpg in a flash.
 Rename MP3 files using ID3 tags (a.k.a. MP3 ID3 tag renaming).
 Change files' creation and modification time stamps.

3. User Groups
Our user group can be divided into 2 major user types:
Super Users : who use BRU very frequently and have lot of expectations from
BRU in terms of features and aesthetics
Normal Users : who just need a bulk file & folder renaming utility that can
fulfil their immediate needs.

4. What we are Good at!
 Tons of features
 No lengthy workflows
 Zero Page functionality
 Minimal learning curve for advanced users
 Extensive information in Help documentation & Online Forum
 Regular updates released based on user-feedback

5. BRU in it’s Current Form

6. Problems faced by our Users*
1. Labels are not self-explanatory. No Tooltips
2. Unclear Navigation
3. Cluttered Interface
4. Not Intuitive
5. No clear feedback/messaging
6. No clear information hierarchy
7. Confusing Jargon
8. No visual connection between the different functionalities
9. Contextual help not available at all places
10. No proper utilization of space/empty-space
* Based on User feedback, Online forums and Download Websites

7. Problem Categorization
User Problems
Business
Problems

8. Evaluation & Improvement Approach

9. Preparation, Review, Report
Normal User Super User (key user)
Uses BRU for infrequent tasks related to Photography, Song
library, movies and other files.
Loves to explore features and likes to have a good visual
interface.
Can switch to other tools easily.
Uses BRU for frequent tasks. Tasks are repetitive in nature.
Is more into Admin work. So, wants to get work done quickly.
Is hesitant to switch and like to stick to the tools.
Persona

10. Preparation, Review, Report
Normal User Super User (key user)
In frequent usage. Probably few times a month.
Priorities: Features, Intuitiveness, Interface
Frequent usage. Many times a week.
Priorities: Features, Ease of use, Help and Feedback
Usage
Scenario

11. Preparation, Review, Report
Normal User Super User (key user)
Difficult to Understand
Too much cluttered
No contextual help/tooltips available
Difficult to Navigate
No clear feedback/messaging
Key
Findings

12. Competitive Landscape

13. Tools and Methods Used
 Strategy
User Research
Competitive Analysis
Recommendations
 Application Design
Task Categorization
*Concept Map
 User Interface
Research
Concept & Style
 Prototyping
Low fidelity

14. Research Tools
PRODUCT FORUMS
USER GUIDES
REVIEW GUIDES
FIELD OBSERVATIONS

15. Suggestions/Mockups

16. Suggestions/Mockups

17. Suggestions/Mockups

18. Suggestions/Mockups

19. Assumptions
 This is not a thorough review of BRU, it is provided to help UXers, &
Product Designers see how they can come up with major pain points for
users and drive the business needs accordingly.
 It is also assumed that BRU has a sticky user base (over the years) which is
hesitant to see major design/UI changes. For that reason, the mockups
provided contain incremental changes and NOT radical ones (like a
complete design overhaul).

20. Thank You