Ergonomics
There is only one question. Base your answer on the book, articles and lecture notes. The grade will be based on what information you identify as most relevant and the logic of your argument. The test may not be more than 4 typed pages.
A company has decided to fund a human factors department to support product development and conduct human factor research.
• Select a product for development. Identify 5 design, usability and/or research activities that should be initiated to support this project. Why did you select these 5?
o Note: you are not being asked to redesign the product
• What are the major obstacles a corporate human factors group is likely to encounter?
You may wish to consider but are not limited to the following:
• Issues associated with the identification of user requirements, data gathering methodologies, task analysis, and behavioural objectives.
• Theoretical and practical (rule of thumb) design approaches.
• Information processing.
• Cognition and physical abilities – limitations and bottlenecks.
• Impact of Signal Detection Theory and the work of Kahneman & Tversky on decision-making (e.g. error prediction)
• Usability test plan development, criterion development and administration.
• Issues associated with the design of work stations.
• Information coding (visual & auditory)
• standards, codes and guidelines.
• Display & control layout and design.
• Visual perception.
• Human-Computer interaction design.
• Anthropometry & motor skills (movement modelling)
• Accommodating individual differences.
• Physical (e.g. illumination, climate, noise, motion) and social characteristics of the work environment.
• System control characteristics.
• Warnings and documentation.
• Safety – regulations.
• Selection.
• Alternative methods of motivating individual (and group) performance.
• Specific topics addressed in the book (e.g. accidents, automation, stress) For more information on Ergonomics check on this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors_and_ergonomics
