Human Factors In Design

Traditional system engineering (SE) is technology driven. In the design of interactive systems we typically assume that the human operator traces the changes in the system states and operates the system correctly. However, the human operator obeys different rules. The difference between the designers‘ and the operator‘s rules often results in loss of productivity, decreased performance and accidents, and eventually, loss of market share. In special cases, it makes sense to demand that the user follows the designers‘ logic. However, in most projects, it is the designer who needs to adapt to the user‘s logic. The article analyzes the limitations of common design practices in resolving mismatches between the system and the user states. Complex system engineering (CSE) is a framework suitable for handling the human operator as a critical system component. This article presents a methodology for handling the human attributes in this framework. The methodology extends the capability of co...

This thesis endeavors to map the current levels of automation (LoA) in the creative (design) process of New Media Design by investigating technological automation and the increasing presence of A.I. in new creative support tools, methods, and processes. It also explores how designers manage their skills to stay relevant. Nondesigners can borrow similar skills offered by an automated system or a smart device to reach similar objectives and share their work instantly on new media platforms.

Risk assessment, by itself, does nothing to reduce risk or improve safety. It can only change outcomes by informing the design and management of effective risk control interventions. But current practice in healthcare risk management suffers from an almost complete lack of support for risk control. This first installment of a 2-part series on rebalancing risk management describes a new framework to guide risk control practice: The Process for Active Risk Control.

BACKGROUND: Fishbone diagrams have been widely promoted as a systems-focused hazard analysis tool for use in root cause analysis, but they suffer from a number of structural weaknesses, including a unidirectional structure that only takes into account forces that promote an accident (ignoring those that make the accident less likely or less severe) and a means of displaying these forces that does not convey any difference in strength of influence. In a separate but related issue, many healthcare organizations suffer from a lack of change management expertise.

PROPOSED SOLUTION: To address these concerns, I present a novel technique, the Lovebug diagram, which draws from both Fishbone diagrams and force-field analysis (an approach to analyzing planned change). This new technique adds value to both its progenitor methods, while retaining their key strengths and ease of use. It can be used both prospectively, to assess planned changes, and retrospectively to assess unplanned (accidental) departures from the status quo.

DISCUSSION: The Lovebug diagram is a more powerful analytical tool than its progenitor methods; however, overall adoption of systems-focused tools for root cause analysis remains suboptimal. Additional research is needed to determine how best to promote a truly systems-focused approach to healthcare root cause analysis. Beyond this retrospective use of the technique, it represents a simple tool to assist healthcare organizations with prospective change management.

Available from: http://cri.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/10/25/1356262213510855.abstract

Using a case study approach, this article explores the benefits of leveraging human readiness levels (HRLs) in conjunction with Human Systems Integra-tion (HSI). The U.S. Army’s HSI program emphasizes front-end planning and emphasizes the use of soldier feedback to maximize influence on system design; however, it does not provide the methods by which this should be accomplished nor does it specify the metrics or measures for assessing the progress. This case study applies HRLs to an army software modernization program and provides an in-depth analysis of the HSI activities performed and the extent to which they addressed each question in the HRL scales.

Margery J. Doyle retains all Intellectual Property and Copyrights © 2014 for any or all of these works.

ABSTRACT: In order to properly simulate behavior based representations of real red and/or blue force operators through the use of models/agents acting as computer generated forces, it is necessary that the behavioral model receive information about the world including who exists, where they are, and relevant events. This includes not only what the actual hardware platform would receive or be capable of sensing, but also the information a human pilot could capitalize upon; information often obtained through communication channels or via the pilot’s own sensory, perception, knowledge, and/or decision making processes. For example, a pilot receives an air picture from the Air Battle Manager, which is derived via the ABM’s assessment of tactical information. In live and virtual exercises, any additional information a pilot might receive is limited to what the systems on his/her aircraft can sense; limitations not realized by a constructive model connected to the training network. Meaning, a behavior model of an aircraft with a maximum actual radar detection range of 15 miles would, without constraints representative of actual system capabilities, may detect entities outside of its normal range of capability; greatly diminishing external validity, realism, and believability. As such, we are developing a proof-of-concept for a Fighter Combat-Tactical Awareness Capability. This approach involves a model-to-Distributed Interactive Simulation-Environment Abstraction-Tactical Observer Agent to accommodate realistic information sharing with model/system function components. The EA–TOA translates low-level Distributed Interactive Simulation information into objects and then uses filters, based on actual maneuver recognition, hardware and human-in-the-loop oriented capability and limitation parameters, to create a Tactical Awareness Capability; limiting the information available to a model to the semantic/knowledge level of analysis. Herein, the genesis of FC-TAC, realizable through a multi-step data and EA process, syntactic and semantic validation, the application’s generalizability, and an actual proof-of-concept currently in use will be discussed.
Margery J. Doyle retains full Intellectual Property and Copyrights © 2014 for these works.

This paper discusses the predicted increase in the occurrence and severity of motion sickness in self-driving cars. Self-driving cars have the potential to lead to significant benefits. From the driver's perspective, the direct benefits of this technology are considered increased comfort and productivity. However, we here show that the envisaged scenarios all lead to an increased risk of motion sickness. As such, the benefits this technology is assumed to bring may not be capitalised on, in particular by those already susceptible to motion sickness. This can negatively affect user acceptance and uptake and, in turn, limit the potential socioeconomic benefits that this emerging technology may provide. Following a discussion on the causes of motion sickness in the context of self-driving cars, we present guidelines to steer the design and development of automated vehicle technologies. The aim is to limit or avoid the impact of motion sickness and ultimately promote the uptake of self-driving cars. Attention is also given to less well known consequences of motion sickness, in particular negative aftereffects such as postural instability, and detrimental effects on task performance and how this may impact the use and design of self-driving cars. We conclude that basic perceptual mechanisms need to be considered in the design process whereby self-driving cars cannot simply be thought of as living rooms, offices, or entertainment venues on wheels.

This article explains basic design elements that are necessary to optimise cockpits on high-speed boats for safety, vision,
control and comfort are established and explained.
Recommendations for best practice are based on medical scientific research, biomechanical analysis and two decades of
experience in designing dashboards, steering consoles and wheelhouses.

Tradicionalmente, la práctica del diseño ha consistido en gestionar el contacto entre dos instancias de naturalezas fundamentalmente diferentes: el ser humano y el ambiente que lo rodea. Para hacer esto el diseño crea dispositivos. Es decir, crea ese "algo" que se encuentra «en medio» de ambas instancias, propiciando configuraciones-espaciales, temporales y corporales-que redefinen constantemente la experiencia humana. En pocas palabras, a través del diseño, el humano crea dispositivos que rediseñan al humano. Hasta el momento el diseño ha gestionado este contacto "contra natura" buscando evitar la fricción entre ambas instancias. Por ello ha conformado una larga tradición antropocéntrica que se extiende desde los arquitectos del Egipto antiguo hasta los contemporáneos, pasando por Vitruvio, da Vinci, Neufert y Le Corbusier. Esta consiste esencialmente en el estudio de las proporciones humanas, a partir de las cuales se diseña y construye objetos y espacios supuestamente adaptados a las medidas, movimientos, capacidades y necesidades del cuerpo humano-"normal"-. Además, esta tradición defiende valores como la comodidad y la satisfacción del humano, a la vez que se refugia tras lógicas racionales-y de mercado-como la eficiencia, la efectividad, la utilidad y el ahorro. Su adopción está ampliamente extendida, al punto que es rastreable en prácticamente todo lo que nos rodea: desde manifestaciones tangibles como objetos y edificios hasta nociones aparentemente neutrales como "ergonomía" o "diseño centrado en el humano" (Human-centered design). La idea de qué y cómo es el ser humano para el que se diseña es altamente ideológica. Sin embargo, la realidad es que la idea de qué y cómo es el ser humano para el que se diseña es altamente ideológica. Es decir, lo humano no es en lo absoluto una noción permanente. Y la concepción de su cuerpo, tal como ha sido tradicionalmente propuesta dentro de la práctica del diseño, es una figura hipotética presentada como norma: apenas un modelo en el que el diseño se basa.

O presente artigo tem por intuito demonstrar a aplicabilidade do metodo AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) como auxilio ao processo de avaliacao de usabilidade de sistema. Para tanto apresenta um framework capaz de subsidiar especialistas na realizacao destas avaliacoes, fazendo uso de heuristicas e atributos de usabilidade.

O presente estudo investiga a ergonomia de estiletes utilizados em graficas rapidas para a producao de cartoes de visita. A coleta de dados utilizou um formulario proprio e o metodo RULA. Como resultado este trabalho apresenta orientacoes para o uso de estiletes. Palavras-Chave: Ergonomia; Estilete; Ferramentas Manuais; Postura.

Risk assessment is widely used to improve patient safety, but healthcare workers are not trained to design robust solutions to the risks they uncover. This leads to an overreliance on the weakest category of risk control recommendations: administrative controls. Increasing the proportion of non-administrative risk control options (NARCOs) generated would enable (though not ensure) the adoption of more robust solutions. Experimentally assess a method for generating stronger risk controls: The Generating Options for Active Risk Control (GO-ARC) Technique. Participants generated risk control options in response to two patient safety scenarios. Scenario 1 (baseline): All participants used current practice (unstructured brainstorming). Scenario 2: Control group used current practice; intervention group used the GO-ARC Technique. To control for individual differences between participants, analysis focused on the change in the proportion of NARCOs for each group. Proportion of NARCOs decre...

Traditional system engineering (SE) is technology driven. In the design of interactive systems we typically assume that the human operator traces the changes in the system states and operates the system correctly. However, the human operator obeys different rules. The difference between the designers’ and the operator’s rules often results in loss of productivity, decreased performance and accidents, and eventually, loss of market share. In special cases, it makes sense to demand that the user follows the designers’ logic. However, in most projects, it is the designer who needs to adapt to the user’s logic. The article analyzes the limitations of common design practices in resolving mismatches between the system and the user states. Complex system engineering (CSE) is a framework suitable for handling the human operator as a critical system component. This article presents a methodology for handling the human attributes in this framework. The methodology extends the capability of common practices of user-centered design and usability testing, which miss critical interdisciplinary issues. To resolve state mismatches, the system engineers must be aware of the user’s logic. Such knowledge should be reflected in the system architecture, to ensure that the user interface provides protection against unexpected user events and to facilitate the system operation in new situations, such as in emergency. The methods and guidelines presented here are applicable to the whole development cycle.

This paper presents an integrative agent model for adaptive human-aware information presentation. Within the agent model, meant to support humans in demanding tasks, a domain model is integrated which consists of a dynamical model for human functioning, and a model determining the effects of information presentation. The integrative agent model applies model-based reasoning methods to the domain model to analyze the state of the human and to determine how to adapt the presentation of information to this state.

People with visual impairment (PVI) are a group that have some sort of visual loss, including individuals with low vision and blindness. As colour is one of the most important elements in transmitting visual information, its lack of access can be configured as an information and communication barrier, which impacts daily routines and social inclusion. The present study evaluates the suitability of a braille-based colour code proposal for PVI called Universal Colour Code (UCC). Based on user experience methods, exploratory interviews, free association of words, effectiveness tests, and assessment of code were conducted. The results show that UCC has potential for PVI who master braille.

El argumento propuesto en este artículo es que los archivistas y especialistas en medios de comunicación necesitan adoptar nuevas prácticas, como la organización de hackatones o maratones, para facilitar la reutilización creativa de material de archivo. Por medio de esas actividades, podrían respaldar el alcance a las comunidades locales y comprender las sutilezas de reutilizar contenido para contextualizar los registros de los archivos. Para respaldar esta afirmación, expongo un estudio de caso en el que un grupo de escritores y realizadores de video de distintas partes del mundo aúnan fuerzas para reutilizar material de archivo audiovisual en Helsinki, Finlandia. Desarrollo las limitaciones y oportunidades que se presentaron para los artistas, los archivistas y los especialistas en medios durante un evento de un día en el que colaboraron y reutilizaron creativamente material de archivo audiovisual. La exposición revela cuestiones que tienen que ver con la facilitación del proceso ...