HFE Theory and Practice Course Objectives
Human Factors Engineering (HFE) theory and practice refers to the application of scientific principles and data to the design of systems, products, and environments in order to optimise their effectiveness, safety, and usability for human users.
In this course we will focus on two areas: HFE theory and practice in analysis, and in design.
By HFE analysis we mean the analysis of interactions and situations that can serve as the basis of an understanding of how people will be affected by the scope of our product or change.
HFE design is the synthesis of this analysis, together with theories of human-system interaction, to develop products and services that are human-centred.
While HFE methods and processes may have different names, they can be categorised as basically supporting either analysis, or supporting design.
In this course we use the term ‘design’ to refer to any systematic change with a particular purpose in mind. That could be the introduction of a new product. But it could also be the ‘design’ of a new procedure, or working method, or the introduction of a new job role.
The principles are the same whether we are designing technology or an organisational change.