Human Factors Engineering (HFE) is a discipline originating in World War II that includes in the design process data about human capabilities and limitations, as well as methods from the behavioral sciences to make products and processes,safe, effective, efficient, and usable.
The flow chart summarizes the systematic and scientific methods to design products or processes, such as controlled environments. At the core, HFE is a user-centered design, where, from the beginning of design, users are included. The HFE process starts with a very thorough understanding of the context of use, that is, the task flows, the user profiles, and the use environment. The process proceeds to quantification of risk and usability to iterative design using prototypes and simulations. Designs are then evaluated for usability using analytical techniques such as expert reviews and cognitive walk-throughs, followed by quantitative task-based usability testing. Usability testing is done one-on-one, where user performance is observed and recorded as they perform essential and critical tasks. Usability testing is done early as the design is iterated and then at the end to validate the design to see that usability objectives can be met and risk is reduced as much as is practicable.
Throughout the HFE process, user data is obtained to iterate both the design and the formal risk analysis, as appropriate. The end result is a process that is effective, efficient, safe, and satisfying for its users, since they have been at the forefront during the design process.
Edmond Israelski, Ph.D. is Human Factors Program Manager, Corporate Regulatory and Quality Science at Abbott. He has been practicing human factors engineering for many years in the design of a wide variety of products. He can be reached at Abbott, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, IL 60064; 847-936-1131;ed.Israelski@abbott.com; www.abbott.com.
The flow chart summarizes the systematic and scientific methods to design products or processes, such as controlled environments. At the core, HFE is a user-centered design, where, from the beginning of design, users are included. The HFE process starts with a very thorough understanding of the context of use, that is, the task flows, the user profiles, and the use environment. The process proceeds to quantification of risk and usability to iterative design using prototypes and simulations. Designs are then evaluated for usability using analytical techniques such as expert reviews and cognitive walk-throughs, followed by quantitative task-based usability testing. Usability testing is done one-on-one, where user performance is observed and recorded as they perform essential and critical tasks. Usability testing is done early as the design is iterated and then at the end to validate the design to see that usability objectives can be met and risk is reduced as much as is practicable.
Throughout the HFE process, user data is obtained to iterate both the design and the formal risk analysis, as appropriate. The end result is a process that is effective, efficient, safe, and satisfying for its users, since they have been at the forefront during the design process.
