From Human Factors to Human Actors: The Role of Psychology and Human-Computer Interaction Studies in System Design

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the role of psychology and human–computer interaction (HIC) studies in system design. Human factors (HF), or ergonomics considerations, are often incorporated into the design process simply as a set of specifications to which the delivered system must adhere. The actual work of the human factors personnel is seen as operator task analyses to be fed into these specifications, and perhaps some interface retouching near the end of the development cycle, when the system design has already been fixed. In general, the role of these people has been seen as ancillary to the main task of building the system. The role of HF or HCI in system design today should be more fluid and pragmatic. Input is vital in discussing the initial capabilities of the system and its required functionality, persisting in the development and evaluation of prototypes, and in final screen layout considerations. This chapter presents an approach which, although acknowledging the contribution that different disciplines can make to the design process, ultimately depends upon the users themselves to articulate their requirements, along with the system design team composed of a variety of specialists acting in the capacity of consultants to the project.