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Human Factors Engineering Dr. Osama Al Meanazel

Lecture 2 (Human Factors and System Design September 15, 2013

Human Factors and System Design

System: A system consists of human, machines, and other things that work together to accomplish a common goal, which each of them cannot accomplish independently Classification of a Human-Machine System
1. Manual System 2. Mechanical Systems 3. Automated Systems

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Human-Machine Systems
Manual System: Human controls the operation and expends his/her own energy in operating the system
Example: Person with a hammer

Mechanical Systems: Machine provide the power, but human still controls the operation
Example: Use of power tool

Automated Systems: Machine performs all functions with little or no human intervention. Human are in a monitoring role
Example: Robots

Characteristics of Human-Machine Systems

Systems are purposive Systems can be hierarchical Systems operate in an environment Components serve function(s): Sense, store, process, and action Components Interact Systems, Subsystems, and components have inputs and outputs

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Classification
Systems consists of individual components, each of which performs separate tasks which helps in the realization of the system goals Basic functions performed by the system components:
1. 2. 3. 4. Information input: Keyboard entry Sensing: computer senses the input and displays it on the monitor Information processing: Computer does calculation based on the input provided Action: Computer displays the output

Human-Machine Systems

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Reliability of the System

Characterizes the dependability of performance in achieving the task
Probability of successful performance Mean time to failure

Components are in:

Serial Parallel Combination

Serial and Parallel Systems

Serial Component 1 Component 2 Component 3

Component 1 Component 2 Parallel Component 3

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System Design Process: A Systematic Procedure

Step 1: Determining Objectives and Performance Specification Step2: System Definition Step 3: Basic Design Phase Step 4: Interface Design Step 5: Facilitator Design (Operator support system design) Step 6: Testing and Evaluation

Step 1: Determining Objective & Performance Specifications

A system being developed must satisfy a definite purpose for which it is being developed
Example: Bus shuttle system objective is to help transport passengers from point A to point B

System performance determines what the system must do to fulfill its objectives
Example:
1. 2. How many passengers were transported successfully to their destination on time? What was the percentage utilization of the transportation system?

Human factors activities performed at this stage

Identification of intended users Identify the activity-related needs of the intended user the system will address How??

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Step 2: System Definition

Define the functions (tasks) the system has to perform to meet its objective and performance Develop a functional flow diagram (FFD) of the system
To aid in the conceptualization of system functions Show the interrelationships among system functions

Example: Designing an urban transportation system

What are the main function of such a system? How does it work?

Step 2: System Definition

Human factors considerations during this stage:

Help insure that the functions identified match with the needs of the identified users. Collect more detailed information regarding the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of the intended user population which will be used in the next stage of development.

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Step 3: Basic Design Phase

The basic design phase consists of the following:
A. Allocation of Functions: Determining which functions should be performed by the human and which should be performed by the machine B. Specify Human Performance Requirements

C. Task Analysis
D. Job Design

Step 3: Basic Design Phase

A. Approaches to Allocation of functions:
1. Checklist method: Compare human and machine capabilities (Fitts list) and based on which tasks are performed superior by human or machine, allocate accordingly
Limitations: technology is constantly changing, costs not included, humans and machines not comparable but complementary

2. When in doubt automate: Rely on automation to solve the problems.

Limitations: human may be left with tasks which do not form a meaningful set of tasks resulting in boredom, inactivity and poor performance. No machine is perfectly reliable

3. Strategy for systematic allocation (Prices 4 rules, 1985):

Mandatory Allocation: safety, legal, labor, hostile environmental. Dynamic Allocation: A new approach to function allocation.

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Step 3: Basic Design Phase

B. Specify human performance requirements:
Once the functions have been allocated to the human and the machine, the next step is to establish the human performance requirement for all the function which are to be performed by the human: speed, accuracy, user satisfaction, etc.

Step 3: Basic Design Phase

C. Task description and task analysis: Purpose of Task Analysis:
A thorough task analysis is essential to ensure that the system will be operable and maintainable in a safe and efficient manner Task analysis is the basis for designing human-machine interfaces (controls, displays, workstations, ) Task analysis is the basis for designing training programs, and designing the evaluation of the system

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Step 3: Basic Design Phase

C. Task description and task analysis:
1. Task Description: Describe each task and sub task in detail.

Basic Symbols used to generate the Operational Sequence Diagram

Operate Inspect Storage Delay Decision Making Transmit

Step 3: Basic Design Phase

2. Task Analysis: List in sequence all the tasks that must be performed to accomplish the functions in which the human plays a part. Break down tasks into sub tasks (steps) Analyze each step for the following:
stimuli that initiates the step Decisions made to perform the step Feedback information resulting from performing the step Potential sources of error Criteria for successful performance.

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Step 3: Basic Design Phase

Different formats for performing task analysis
Operational Sequence Diagram Column Format. Fault tree Outline format Time line diagram Flow Process Chart Decision Diagram Workload Analysis Diagram

Step 3: Basic Design Phase

Purpose of task analysis
Basis for design/redesign of equipment /workspace Identify current and potential dangers Training requirements Personnel requirements Job aids and job restructuring

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Step 3: Basic Design Phase

D. Job Design:
Job simplification Job enlargement and Job enrichment

Examples: increasing number of activities, delegating the responsibility to a complete unit, providing opportunity to select work method, job rotation,
This will lead to greater autonomy to workers, selection of work method, job rotation, delegation of responsibility.

Step 4: Interface Design

Involves the design of human-machine and human-software interface (design of workspaces, displays, controls, computer dialog, etc.) During the interface design HF members of design team will perform 3 primary activities to support the design effort:
1. Gathering and interpreting Human Factors data. 2. Conducting Attribute Evaluations. 3. Conducting human performance studies.

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Step 4: Interface Design

1. Gathering and interpreting Human Factors data
Quantitative data (anthropometry). Qualitative data (common sense). Based on principles (research results). Mathematical functions (certain simulation models). Graphical representation (Nomographs). Judgment of experts. Design standards (for displays, controls, etc).

Considerations in applying Human Factors data.

Practical Significance. Extrapolation to different situations Consideration of Risks. Consideration of Trade-Off functions

Step 4: Interface Design

2. Conducting Attribute Evaluation
Use of checklists. Walk-through evaluations. Computer-aided design and evaluation aids.

3. Conducting Human Performance studies

When the literature cannot supply the solution to a design problem, usually small experiments are carried out. Measurement of human performance such as time and errors in completing a task.

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Step 5: Facilitator Design (Operator Support System Design)

Plan for materials that will promote acceptable human performance
Instruction manual (on-line and hard copy) Performance aids Training devices (embedded training)

Use of Illustrations - by providing pictures and symbols.

Picture - a realistic photograph or drawing of an object about which information is to be conveyed. Symbol - a photograph or drawing that represents something else

Step 6:Testing and Evaluation

Verify that the system is doing what it is supposed to. Selection of subjects and dependent variables could influence the conclusions. Testing could be in a laboratory environment or in the field . Advantage of testing in the lab: easier to collect data, one can perform a controlled study on different variables without any fear from noise corruption the data. Disadvantage of lab testing is the lack of face validity, tests not being conducted in the real world setting.

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How Engineers Design?

Engineers are experience-oriented: they tend to repeat design approaches and solutions they have previously found effective. Engineers are often intuitive in their thinking: often they do not apply multiple criteria to evaluate design alternatives

Engineers get down to the nitty-gritty aspects of hardware and software design as quickly as possible.
Engineers often do not know where to find information they need

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