Human engineering is the analysis of human behaviour and the effects of human-to-machine interactions and human-to-system interfaces on the efficiency and effectiveness of the processes being examined. The human factor is the way individuals think; it is what we humans consider to be a natural and logical way of sorting and communicating information.
As the world begins to rely more on automation, the interface between a system and the user that operates it is becoming more important. In some cases, it is even desirable to eliminate the user altogether to prevent errors. Criteria for minimizing the problems include making the interfaces user-friendly and ensuring an effective exchange of information between the system and the user. Ensuring people receive adequate training in the operation of the system is another facet that can be utilized, as well as any cultural expectations or fatigue that could affect the user’s performance. These ideas, and many others, play into the concept of human engineering.
A prime example of poor interface design is Windows Vista. Sure, it has all the features that the old Windows XP or Windows 7 have, but its accessibility is subpar. We can also consider large-scale automation systems like the control processes that operate a nuclear plant or the emergency shutdown protocols for an oil rig. These need to be easy to use. If the operator makes a mistake because the controls are too complex, it can lead to major consequences. Based on these examples, we can see a correlation between safety and controls systems. New hazard and risk assessments are beginning to integrate these factors into the standard checklist for potential scenarios. The goal of human engineering is to catch the gaps between humans and machines before there is an incident or failure.
The other major component of human engineering focuses on the persons: their personality, training and awareness. A scenario in which human factors play a role in affecting an outcome is the interactions between airplane pilots. Off the bat, one would assume that having a more experienced pilot fly the plane would be the safer approach. However, based on people’s general respect for seniority, it is actually safer if the less experienced pilot takes the controls. The experienced pilot is more likely to correct the errors of the novice pilot, whereas it is highly unlikely that the junior pilot would correct his senior. This is just an example of how team management has a large effect on a project or goal. Imagine this in an industrial setting, where the organizational structure and team planning can be organized tier-by-tier and step-by-step by the company’s human engineer. This would lead to an overall optimization of the workforce and improve the company’s productivity.
Who knows? Maybe the next engineering program that the University of Waterloo comes out with will be Human Engineering.
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