HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov HFSD Introduction Objectives To define Human Factors To establish the need for Human Factors in Systems Analysis & Design To identify problems with interactive systems To identify Factors which need to be considered

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Definition of Human Factors HF is the term used in America Also known (in Europe) as Ergonomics In early days known as Human Engineering –(reveals roots in US military) –Early scientific studies tried to match people to the jobs –War revealed that needed to fit equipment to capabilities of the people –Space race gave further impetus

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Definition of Human Factors “Human Factors discovers and applies information about human behaviour, abilities,limitations and other characteristics, to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs and other environments for productive, safe, comfortable and effective human use” (Chapanis 1985)

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Definition of Human Factors Although the definition provided is broad, no short phrase can adequately characterise the scope and range of the HF field Sanders & Mc Cormick define Human factors in terms of:- –Its focus, objectives and approach

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Focus of HF HF focuses on humans and their interactions with products, equipment, systems, procedures and environments Emphasis is on the humans design needs not engineering/technical needs Aim is to design systems that recognise the limitations of people Will design systems that match users capabilities and meet their needs

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Objectives of Human Factors Two major objectives:- First objective –To enhance the effectiveness & efficiency with which work and other activities are carried out –Driving a car, preparing a presentation, using a photocopier –Is concerned with aspects such as increased convenience and ease of use, reduced errors and greater productivity

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Objective of HF (cont) 2 nd Objective –To enhance certain desirable features and human values. These include:- Improved safety Reduced fatigue & stress Increased comfort Greater User acceptance Increased job satisfaction Improved quality of life

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Approach of Human factors The approach is the systematic application of relevant information about human capabilities, motivation to the design of things and the environment in which people use them Requires scientific investigations to discover relevant information about humans and their responses to systems, environments etc.. Information gathered serves as the basis for making design decisions & for predicting the probable effects of design alternatives Also concerned with evaluating the design

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov What HF is not about! Tried to state what Human actors is May be necessary to say what it is not!! It is not about:- –Just applying guidelines and ticking checklists –Using oneself as the basis for modelling the design –Just applying common sense

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Identifying the need for HF All pervasive use of computers –Has moved from sterile work environment into everyday use both in the office and at home –Type of people using technology has changed –We encounter technology in all aspects of our lifes banking, shopping, learning, working, leisure

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Identifying the need for HF Computer disasters The explosion in the growth and reliance on technology dependent systems also brought some major technological disasters –Three Mile Island –Union Carbide Bhopal India –Chernobyl –USS Arriane

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Why Systems Fail These particular disasters revealed both the failure and the need to address HF issues in the design of systems Research has identified several other main factors:- Inadequate investigation Poor Project management Lack of or inappropriate user participation Failure to design and provide a system which the user finds useful and usable

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Identifying the need for HF Other factors include:- – The continuing high level of poorly designed & difficult to use systems –Increased reluctance of users to accept and use poor & badly designed systems – user rejection –The threat of litigation (Eg 1990 EU Directive for VDU work ) –Market Forces

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Other Factors (cont) The costs resulting from the neglect of HF Inadequate/inappropriate system Heavy support & maintenance costs Loss of business Loss of efficiency Loss of competitive edge

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Problems with interactive systems Poor design Failure to consider organisational ramifications Poor user-task match Ease of use Lack of training and support Ergonomic & environmental issues All of these point to a failure to pay adequate attention to Human Factors in the system design process

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov HFSD Will require knowledge about:- –Who will use the system –What it will be used for –The work context and environment in which it will be used –What is technically, logistically & financially feasible Often their may be a need for a trade off but the trade off should be an explicit part of the design process

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Factors which need to be considered Have already mentioned some of these –The user –The task –The interface –The environment

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov Factors (cont) Organisational factors Health & safety Factors Productivity Factors System functionality Comfort Factors Constraints

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov HFSD - Conclusion This suggests that to achieve usable systems users must feature more prominently in the design process Greater attention must be paid to the organisational context within which the system must operate Must move from a technically oriented ‘hard’ centred approach in design to a more user centred ‘soft’ approach

HFSD Overview & Intro JTBurns Nov HFSD Conclusion (cont) A system designed with the principles of Human Factors being applied is more likely to be :- –Safer –Easier to use –More satisfying and more acceptable to the user This leads to systems being developed that:- –Gain user acceptance –Provide the organisation with corresponding productivity gains