Topics in Inclusive Design for the Graduate Human Factors Engineering Curriculum

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 403-406
Author(s):  
Clive D’Souza
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Inclusive Design ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Engineering Curriculum ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Human Functioning ◽  
Disability Prevalence ◽  
And Performance

The confluence of demographic trends in aging and disability prevalence, increased expectations among workers and consumers with and without impairments, and greater reliance on complex yet pervasive technologies (e.g., automation, internet of things) has resulted in an increased emphasis on designing for human-system performance and accommodation across the full spectrum of human abilities. Inclusive design or universal design (UD) is one of the few user-centered design paradigms that advocate consideration for the full spectrum of human abilities, including individuals with and without disabilities. A graduate-level course was developed and implemented to introduce ergonomics and human factors students to the UD paradigm and to UD goals and principles using select academic and non-academic readings, and assignments related to multivariate statistics, field observations, and design of experiments. The course placed an emphasis on the fundamentals and research base in ergonomics in relation to UD research and practice, viz., topics related to variability in human functioning and performance associated with anthropometry, biomechanics, perception and cognition. Alongside the motivations for the course, this paper provides an overview of the course objectives, topics covered, and some early lessons learned.

The Adult Human Hand: Some Anthropometric and Biomechanical Considerations

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Garrett
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Dynamic Loads ◽  
Human Hand ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Adult Human ◽  
High Dynamic ◽  
And Performance

Recent studies of the anthropometry and selected biomechanical characteristics of hands are summarized. These include: (1) conventional anthropometry of male and female hands, (2) the anthropometry of the relaxed hand, (3) comparison of certain engineering anthropometric and performance parameters between bare and pressure-gloved hands, and (4) the ability to retain grips on selected handles under high dynamic loads. The utility of these data for human factors engineering is discussed.

Using simulation to iteratively test and re-design a cognitive aid for use in the management of severe local anaesthetic toxicity

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-12
Author(s):  
Catherine A McIntosh ◽  
David Donnelly ◽  
Robert Marr
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Local Anaesthetic ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Cognitive Aids ◽  
Local Standard ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Font Design ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Education And Development

IntroductionCognitive aids, such as a guideline for the management of severe local anaesthetic (LA) toxicity, are tools designed to help users complete a task. Human factors experts recommend the use of simulation to iteratively test and re-design these tools. The purpose of this study was to apply human factors engineering principles to the testing and iterative re-design of three existing cognitive aids used for the management of severe LA toxicity and to use these data to develop a ‘new’ cognitive aid.MethodsTwenty anaesthetist–anaesthetic assistant pairs were randomised into four groups. Each of the first three groups received one of three different existing cognitive aids during a standardised simulated LA toxicity crisis. Postsimulation semistructured interviews were conducted to identify features beneficial and detrimental to the format and usability of the aid. Synthesis of the interview data with established checklist design recommendations resulted in a prototype aid, which was subjected to further testing and re-design by the fourth group (five more pairs) under the same conditions thus creating the final iteration of the new aid.ResultsFeatures of the new aid included a single-stream flowchart structure, single-sided, large-font design with colour contrast, simplified instructions and no need for calculations. This simplified tool contains only the information users reported as essential for the immediate crisis management.ConclusionsUtilisation of formative usability testing and simulation-based user-centred design resulted in a visually very different cognitive aid and reinforces the importance of designing aids in the context in which they are to be used. Simplified tools may be more appropriate for use in emergencies but more detailed guidelines may be necessary for training, education and development of local standard operating procedures. Iterative simulation-based testing and re-design is likely to be of assistance when developing aids for other crises, and to eliminate design failure as a confounder when investigating the relationship between use of cognitive aids and performance.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned from Journey Mapping in Health Care

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-109
Author(s):  
Kyle Maddox ◽  
Donna Baggetta ◽  
Jennifer Herout ◽  
Kurt Ruark
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
User Research ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Engineering Team

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Human Factors Engineering team recognizes the value of journey maps as a means for communication among stakeholder groups and develops maps to showcase the experience of users with health services and technology systems. The uniqueness of health care environments caused difficulties in following available trade guidance for creating journey maps. Anticipating that other Human Factors Engineers working in health care settings will encounter similar challenges, this paper showcases our lessons learned while creating two distinct journey maps and offers a process for constructing journey maps in health care environments. We learned to selectively limit the content of journey maps, ensure design quality by utilizing a template and rubric, and apply alternate approaches for data gathering. Our improved process includes steps to partner with stakeholders, produce a journey map framework and confirm it with user research, and visualize findings in the completed journey map.

Applying User-Centered Design in the Context of the Deming Quality Cycle: The Design and Development of a Server Computer

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 2-483-2-486
Author(s):  
Melroy E. D'Souza
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Quality Engineering ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Check Phase ◽  
Server Computer ◽  
User Centered

There are many different tools and methodologies in the field of human factors for user-centered design. Similarly, other fields have tools and methodologies that enable practitioners in those fields to perform their work. Although these tools may be used most productively within their specific fields, they might contain elements that lend themselves to being applied in other domain areas. The field of quality engineering has been around for a while and has many useful tools. The similarity in the goals of the fields of human factors engineering and quality engineering suggests that there could be certain methodologies and tools in the area of quality engineering that, practitioners of human factors might find useful and applicable to the development of products and services from a user-centered perspective. This paper explores the application of user-centered design in the context of the Deming Cycle to the development of a server computer in an actual organization. It also provides examples of actual issues that were identified during the “check” phase of the Deming Cycle, and describes the actions that were performed to address these issues.

Early Consideration of Human Factors in Military System Design

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 (13) ◽  
pp. 1286-1286
Author(s):  
Eleanor L. Criswell
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
System Design ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
The Past ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
System Acquisition ◽  
And Training

The goal of this symposium is to present the status and future directions of programs aimed at consideration of human factors early in military system design. Military initiatives of this nature are not new, but in the past they have not become integral parts of the military system acquisition process. Recent programs in each service, however, reflect more serious and in-depth attempts to use human factors data to influence and evaluate system design than has been the case in the past. The Army now requires MANPRINT analyses, Navy HARDMAN analyses are mandated, and the Air Force is now pilot testing its own program called MPTIS. This symposium consists of introductory remarks by Dr. Joseph Peters of Science Applications International Corporation, and papers from LTC William 0. Blackwood, HQ Department of the Army, CDR George S. Council, Jr., Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and COL AI Grieshaber, HQ, U. S. Air Force. Dr. Peters' paper, “Human Factors Issues in Military System Design,” defines “human factors” as a combination of human factors engineering, biomedical engineering, manpower/personnel, and training elements. The paper presents three measures of success of human factors programs early in system acquisition: long-lasting policy, committed management, and availability of scientific technology for program Implementation and evaluation. LTC Blackwood's paper discusses the importance the Army places on its MANPRINT program. MANPRINT program history, status, and possible program evolution are addressed. CDR Council's paper addresses the potential for the addition of human factors to the Navy HARDMAN program which addresses manpower, personnel, and training. CDR Council suggests that human factors advocates present a human factors program which is clearly defined and limited in scope to render it easily appreciated by Navy management, and that advocates can benefit from lessons learned during the institutionalization of HARDMAN. COL Grieshaber's paper “MPT in the Air Force” describes a pilot MPT (manpower, personnel, training) program at Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright Patterson AFB. This program will analyze aircraft system designs for their MPT requirements, suggest design changes where requirements exceed Air Force availabilities, and assess design changes for their MPT impact.

On-Board Electronic Warfare Simulator (OBEWS): Designing the Ground Support Subsystem (GSS) Man Machine Interface

1987 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1296-1300
Author(s):  
Gregory M. Wilford
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Electronic Warfare ◽  
Ground Support ◽  
Engineering Effort ◽  
Machine Interface ◽  
Detailed Level ◽  
Man Machine Interface

This paper reports on the development of the On-Board Electronic Warfare Simulator (OBEWS) Ground Support Subsystem (GSS). The discussion will take place on two levels. At the top level, the theme of embedded training and the role that the OBEWS program will have in proving the feasibility of the concept will be discussed. At the second and more detailed level, the intensive human factors engineering effort undertaken in the design/development of the OBEWS GSS man machine interface (MMI) will be presented. A description of the resulting MMI will be included. The paper concludes with recommendations and lessons learned at both levels.

Human Factors Engineering Analysis of Marine Corps Night Attack Aircraft

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 861-864
Author(s):  
William A. Breitmaier ◽  
Grace P. Waldrop ◽  
John Lazo
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Marine Corps ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Night Vision ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Infrared Sensor ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Vision Sensor ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Color Displays

The U.S. Marine Corps has proposed sensor and display improvements to provide night attack capability for the AV-8B and F/A–18 aircraft. The aircraft enhancements include the addition of a Forward Looking Infrared sensor displayed on a new raster Head-Up Display, Night Vision Goggle compatibility, and a color multi-purpose display. A human factors engineering analysis was performed to identify the human factors impact of the cockpit changes involved. Included in the analysis were a literature review, interviews with pilots, design considerations review, and development of recommendations based on both human factors standards and lessons learned from similar projects. The primary areas researched were: cockpit lighting, color displays, and night vision sensor utilization.

The Clean and Dirty of Redesigning Reprocessing Instructions for Use

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Choi ◽  
Stephanie Seraphina ◽  
Kate Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Da Vinci ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Iterative Design ◽  
Robotic Devices ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Instructions For Use ◽  
Error Risk

Over the last decade, the human factors (HF) community has actively worked to improve use safety and effectiveness into design. Yet, an area that has been neglected is reprocessing of reusable devices. Intuitive Surgical, manufacturer of da Vinci robotics surgical systems, recently redesigned reprocessing instructions for use (IFU) incorporating an HF process and iterative design. It may appear that reprocessing is simply another design effort where the standard human factors process is applied. However, it is essential to consider the intersection of hospitals’ needs and limitations, the actual requirements for effective cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, regulatory requirements, and the manufacturer’s maturity in developing instructions. The redesign effort involved a process based on user-centered design with interdisciplinary team inputs. The focus was on improving comprehension and performance through the use of simple illustrated steps, concise text, improved headings, workflow aids, and intuitive navigation. In addition, a workflow-based use error risk analysis identified critical tasks, and was used to guide the redesign. Eight (8) reprocessing IFUs were revised simultaneously for two (2) robotics platforms, adding to the challenge. The IFUs addressed reprocessing for robotic surgical endoscopes, instruments, and accessories. The reprocessing of robotic devices is complex, requiring multiple steps that are at times inconsistent between devices. An iterative process was used for drafting versions of the IFUs, conducting usability testing, making improvements to the IFUs, and then in retesting. A final validation test was conducted and provided evidence for the use safety and effectiveness of the IFUs. Throughout the redesign process, challenges were encountered, which required solutions through cross-functional alignment. As IFUs are part of the user experience, the process and design elements described may help guide the development of usable IFUs, and are shared in a broader context to help further improve experiences for user and patients.

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