UIeenheid

UIeenheid is a proposed unit of measurement used to quantify the scope or effort involved in designing and implementing user interfaces. The term combines UI, for user interface, with eenheid, Dutch for 'unit', and is used in some design and software communities to aid estimation and planning.

Definition and scope: A UIeenheid aims to capture aspects such as layout complexity, interaction behaviors, accessibility requirements, responsive design, and testing needs. A single UIeenheid may correspond to a small, well-defined change or be a composite estimate for a larger feature. Teams define a rubric accordingly.

Measurement: Calibration relies on historical data and team consensus. Factors include number of screens and states, input modalities, accessibility considerations, performance constraints, and internationalization; weights vary by project. UIeenheden are aggregated to estimate effort, cost, and delivery timelines, and tracked in sprints or milestones.

Usage and limitations: It supports planning, benchmarking, and cross-team communication, but remains informal and not standardized. The method depends on subjective judgments and team skill, tooling, and product domain. It should be used alongside velocity and other metrics rather than as a sole measure.

History: The concept emerged in European digital design circles in the 2010s as a lightweight metric for bridging UI design and development tasks. It remains informal and is not codified by major standards bodies.