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Principles of Human Factors Engineering
What is Human Factors Engineering? Sample Module
Welcome to the Course
Human Factors in the News
Three Types of “Human Factors”
Definition of Human Factors Engineering
Human Factors Engineering Isn’t New
HFE Definition Recap
The Scope of Human Factors Engineering
What Isn’t in the Scope of HFE?
HFE Problem or Not?
What are the Aims of HFE?
Reduce Errors
Increase Productivity
Reduce Support Costs
Reduce Training Time and Cost
Increase Job Satisfaction
Why is HFE Necessary?
Why HFE is Really Necessary
Cost of HFE Problems
HFE Problems Compound Over Time
HFE Cost-Benefits
What Does HFE Look Like in Practice?
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Human Factors Engineering Principles
What is a HFE Principle?
Why are Principles Important?
HFE Principle 1: Behaviour is Shaped by the Environment
Everyday Examples of the Fundamental Attribution Error
HFE Principle 2: Look at the Whole System
Why Human Factors isn’t Just Looking at the Human
HFE Principle 3: Involve Users in Design
The Pitfalls of ‘Next Bench’ Design
HFE Principle 4: Account for Human Variability
What Accounting for Human Variability Means in Practice
Why are Aeroplane Seats so Uncomfortable?
HFE Principle 5: Use Prototyping and Iteration to Advance the Design
Why is Iteration a Big Deal in HFE?
HFE Principle 6: Take a Multi-Discipline Approach
HFE Principle 7: Evidence Before Opinions
Assignment: Principles in Practice
HFE Principles End of Module Test
Thinking about Human Factors Problems
From Principles to a HFE Lifecycle
HFE Lifecycle
Understand Context of Use
Establish Requirements
Develop Design
Validate Design
Introduce Design
Collect Feedback
Plan and Manage
Putting the HFE Lifecycle into Practice
Another HFE Lifecycle Example
Assignment: HFE Process
HFE Problems End of Module Test
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What is Human Factors Engineering?

  1. Principles of Human Factors Engineering
  2. What is Human Factors Engineering?

This module is intended as an introduction to the topic of Human Factors Engineering.

I’m going to assume that you might have heard of the term before, or have a passing familiarisation with it, but not be an expert. Don’t worry! At the end of this module you will have all the information necessary to understand what the topic means for you.

Just in case you need it, here is a glossary of Human Factors terms.

Here is a copy of the module booklet: What is Human Factors Engineering

Module Content
0% Complete 0/24 Steps
Welcome to the Course
Human Factors in the News
Three Types of “Human Factors”
Definition of Human Factors Engineering
Human Factors Engineering Isn’t New
HFE Definition Recap
The Scope of Human Factors Engineering
What Isn’t in the Scope of HFE?
HFE Problem or Not?
What are the Aims of HFE?
Reduce Errors
Increase Productivity
Reduce Support Costs
Reduce Training Time and Cost
Increase Job Satisfaction
Why is HFE Necessary?
Why HFE is Really Necessary
Cost of HFE Problems
HFE Problems Compound Over Time
HFE Cost-Benefits
What Does HFE Look Like in Practice?
1 of 2
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