Human Performance Considerations Lawrence J. Hettinger, PhD Senior Human Factors Engineer Failures in the
performance of human-machine systems can generally be attributed to one of
two causes (and sometimes both) – limitations and/or failures in the
technical performance of the system, and limitations and/or failures in
human performance in the operation of the system.
The optimization of technical and human use considerations are both
essential in ensuring safe and effective system performance.
However, traditional paradigms for the design of complex
sociotechnical systems have largely focused on technical considerations
while drastically underemphasizing the impact of human performance
limitations. As a result, the
potential for human error is often literally designed into new systems,
and potential insights on achieving superior system performance are left
unexplored.
How can emerging computer-based medical technologies (e.g.,
computer-aided surgery, virtual environment training systems, image guided
surgery systems, etc.) be designed to achieve a functional balance between
good technical design and good design with respect to the performance
requirements and limitations of the user?
What methods and principles can be applied to the design process to
reduce the likelihood of human error while also enhancing overall system
performance? |