human factors
Tomm.
HFchapter1.ppt*
What is Human Factors?
- The discovery and application of information about human behavior, abilities, and other characteristics to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for productive, safe, comfortable, and effective human use.
What is Human Factors?
- Human Factors (HF) is the study of the interface between a man and a machine.
- It is the intersection of engineering and psychology
- HF compared to clinical psychology: HF is the study of the normative vs. the abnormal (clinical psychology)
- Addresses physical, cognitive and emotional aspects of humans and how they interact with systems.
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Human Factors Psychology and Related Disciplines
- Ergonomics
- Human Factors Engineering
- Engineering Psychology
- Human-Machine Interaction
- Cognitive Engineering
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Fields involved in
Human Factors Design
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Focus of HF
- Focuses on human beings and their interaction with products, equipment, facilities, procedures, and environments used in work and everyday living
- Seeks to change the things people use and the environments in which they use these things to better match the capabilities, limitations, and needs of people
- It’s a change in perspective:
“We must quit manning the equipment and start equipping the man.”
- U.S. Army General, Max Thurman
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Scope of Human Factors
Human Factors Research Journals
Human Factors
Proceedings of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Conference
Theoretical Issues in Ergonomic Science
Ergonomics
Applied Ergonomics
Human Factors and Aerospace Safety
The International Journal of Aviation Psychology
Human Performance
Transportation Research
IEEE
History of Human Factors
- Emerged during World War II
- Need for people to effectively operate sophisticated military systems
- Early emphasis was on productivity and physiology
- After WWII the discipline continued to grow to meet the challenge of non-military problems
- Emphasis shifted to include other objectives, such as safer and healthier working environments and improvements in the quality of working life
- HF boosted by space program, computers, home technology
Role of Human Factors
User-Centered Design
Systems designed to fit people (not vice-versa).
Reduces training time.
Minimizes human error.
Improves comfort, safety, and productivity
EHANCE PERFROMANCE, INCREASE SAFETY, INCREASE USER SATISFACTION
Objectives
- Enhance the effectiveness and efficiency with which work and other activities are carried out
- Enhance certain desirable human values, including
- Improved safety
- Reduced fatigue and stress
- Increased comfort
- Greater user acceptance
- Increased job satisfaction
- Improved quality of life
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Where do Human Factors Professionals Work?
- Colleges and Universities
- Military Research Facilities and Settings
- IBM
- Boeing and other aircraft manufacturers
- American Airlines
- Hewlett-Packard
- Kodak
- Yahoo!
- Gateway
Approaches for Problem-Solving
- Equipment Design – change physical equipment
- Task Design – change how task is accomplished
- Environmental Design – change features of the work environment such as temperature, lighting, sound
- Training – change worker behavior by providing skills and teaching procedures
- Selection – recognizes individual differences in ability to accomplish work
How do we account for Human factors in design
- Best Option: Design for the human
- Redesign tool/technology
- Next Best Option: Incorporate safeguards and warnings
- Redesign task/procedures
- Change environment
- Other Option: Provide training and selection for optimal performance
- Worst Option: Ignore
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Human Factors Activities
- Accident Investigation/Expert Witness
- Simulation, Virtual Reality, & Training
- Occupational/Public Health & Safety
- Consumer Products
- Basic & Applied Research
Accident Investigation
JAL 123
Tenerife
Simulation & Training
Submarine Training Simulators
Integrating HF into Medical Surgery Tool
DaVinici Robotic Surgery System
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Virtual Reality
Occupational Safety
Consumer Ergonomics
Examples of Human Factors Success in Commercial Product
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Research
Tactile Situation Awareness Suit
Design Considerations
- Affordances
- User Stereotypes/Expectancies
- Stimulus-Response Compatibility
- Cognitive Ability
- Physical Ability
- Anthropometry
- Sensation & Perceptual Capabilities
- User Preferences
- Environment
Affordances: To give a clue
Refers to an attribute of an object that allows people to know how to use it
e.g. a mouse button invites pushing, a door handle affords pulling
Bathroom Blunder
Problem: Look & placement afford behaviors other than those intended
Affordances
Bathroom Blunder
Problem: Look & placement afford behaviors other than those intended
User Stereotypes/Expectancies
Butterfly Ballot-Palm Beach County, FL
Problem: Violates expectations of reading order & experience
User Stereotypes/Expectancies
The Sound of Music
Problem: Lack of spatial proximity
Stimulus-Response Compatibility
Why Isn’t My Food Getting Hot?
Problem: Lack of natural mapping from controls to burners
Stimulus-Response Compatibility
Suggested Solution
Stimulus Response Compatibility
Purposely intended to slow performance
Cognitive Ability
Cognitive Ability
Problem: Decision making under time stress
Physical Abilities
Exoskeleton suit increases strength when used properly
Anthropometry
Design for Average
Design for Extreme
Design for Adjustability
Sensation & Perceptual Capabilities
Red Light, Green Light, Stop!
Visual Complexity
Perceptual Illusions
User Preferences
The Beaten Path
Environment
G-forces/Weightlessness
Heat/Cold
Lighting
Noise/Vibration
Stress
Chemicals
Benefits from Human Factors
- Personal benefits
- Reduced design-induced operator error
- Increased productivity
- Increased safety
- Improved satisfaction
- System benefits
- Increased reliability
- Increased availability
- Increased public safety
- Cost
- Lower staff, training, and life-cycle costs
- Lower personnel turnover
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Human Factors must be considered from the beginning
Wiener’s Iron Law
- If human factors work is done at the design phase, the cost is high, but paid only once.
BUT
- If poor designs must be compensated for by training, the cost must be paid every day.
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Design Snafus
Filing cabinet: http:// www.baddesigns.com/file.html
Fridge door: http:// www.baddesigns.com/fridge.html
Sports watch: http:// www.baddesigns.com/sportwatch.html
USB Connector: http:// www.baddesigns.com/USB.html
Door: http:// www.baddesigns.com/3doors.html
Sign: http:// www.baddesigns.com/dontgo.html
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Human Factors Application
This innovative office design improves
productivity and efficiency by 4.35%
