Principles of Human Factors Engineering

• Published in: Handbook of Safety Principles pp. 164 - 195
• Main Authors: Norros, Leena, Savioja, Paula
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 15.12.2017
• Subjects: activity; core‐task design; design thinking; functional modeling; HFE methodology; interpretive practice; resilience; systems usability
• ISBN: 1118950690; 9781118950692
• DOI: 10.1002/9781119443070.ch9

In this methodologically oriented chapter, a new interpretation of human factors engineering (HFE) is introduced. It is proposed that the standard conception of HFE as an application of human factors knowledge needs a redefinition. Instead, HFE should be considered as a constructive practice within which epistemic principles and ways of argumentation, known to characterize "design thinking," could be applied. This new perspective would facilitate the realization of the high‐quality human factors standards, upon which the HFE community agrees, but which have shown to be difficult to fulfill. Drawing on the international discussion and own experience of HFE projects, four generic principles are proposed that guide the transformation of HFE from an applied science to a constructive design practice. These principles are: HFE is design thinking; HFE studies human as a manifold entity; HFE focuses on technology in use; and safety is achieved through continuous HFE. Each principle is described and its theoretical foundations are made explicit. The use and implementation of each principle is elaborated drawing on own research. In this connection, novel concepts are introduced to HFE. With these qualifications, HFE can participate in an integrated design culture necessary for ensuring the safety and efficiency of complex socio‐technical systems.