HFE Problems Compound Over Time

It is often the case that the costs of not resolving human factors problems compound over the lifecycle of a product or asset. A problem that is not identified and addressed during the development stage can become a greater problem during production, use, and retirement.

For example, consider a new medical device that is being developed for a hospital. The engineers and designers focused on the technical aspects of the device but did not consider the needs and abilities of the surgeons who will be using the device. As a result, the device has a small and complex interface that is difficult for the surgeons to use during surgery. During development, the device meets all the technical requirements and passes all the testing, but the human factors problems were not identified.

During production, the device is manufactured and distributed to hospitals. The surgeons find the device difficult to use and make more errors when using it, which increases the risk of complications and prolongs the surgery. Additionally, the device has a high failure rate, which requires more maintenance and repair, leading to increased costs and downtime.

During use, the device is less efficient, less safe, and less user-friendly, leading to decreased productivity, increased errors, and increased risk of accidents or injuries. This results in increased costs for the hospital, such as increased downtime, increased insurance costs, and increased patient dissatisfaction.

Finally, during the retirement stage, the device has a higher environmental impact due to the increased failure rate and the need for more frequent replacement, leading to increased costs associated with decommissioning, disposal, and environmental impact.

As this example illustrates, the costs of not resolving human factors problems compound over the lifecycle, and can result in significant financial and operational costs for the organization.