Definition of Human Factors Engineering

“Human Factors Engineering optimises the relationship between people and their activities, by the systematic application of human sciences, integrated within the framework of systems engineering.”

There are four important points in this definition, and we will go over them now.

First of all, HFE exists to optimise or improve the situations that people find themselves in. This is often about improving people’s working environment, but it might not necessarily be that.  For example, HFE methods can also be applied to consumer products or services, not just products or services that people encounter at work. HFE methods can be applied to all types of interactions between people and their activities.

Secondly, the focus of HFE is the relationship or interaction between people and their activities.  This is an important point. Although the discipline is called ‘human factors’, the focus is not being solely on the person. Rather, it is how the person (or groups of people such as teams or organisations) interact with their environment that is the main topic of analysis.

Thirdly, HFE is an applied science. HFE has a broad science and knowledge base that draws upon social, psychological, and  physiological sciences such as anthropometry, physiology, psychology, sociology, and industrial design.

And finally, HFE is part of what is known as Systems Engineering. HFE takes a systems approach, using a view of the world where people are one component in a larger system of situations, environments, and technology.

The terms ‘Human Factors Engineering’, ‘Human Factors’, and ‘Ergonomics’ are often used interchangeably. We take them to all mean the same thing in this course.