Human Factors Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on the principles of human factors and ergonomics.

User-Centered Design

Involving end-users throughout the design process to tailor systems and products to their needs, preferences, and capabilities.

Visibility and Feedback

Providing clear and timely feedback to users about their actions to help them understand the system's response.

Consistency and Standardization

Using consistent design elements and standardized interfaces to help users quickly learn and operate new systems.

Simplicity and Minimalism

Prioritizing simplicity and minimizing complexity in design to enhance user performance.

Error Management

Designing systems that prevent, detect, and recover from errors, including clear error messages and safeguards.

Affordances and Signifiers

Cues in design that suggest how an object can be used and indicators that guide users on how to interact with a system.

Human-Machine Interaction

Designing interactions that align with human cognitive and physical capabilities, considering factors like memory and reaction times.

Workload Management

Designing systems that distribute cognitive and physical workload effectively to avoid overwhelming users.

Task Analysis

Breaking down tasks into subtasks and analyzing the steps required to complete them to identify areas for optimization.

Physical Ergonomics

Considering anthropometric data, biomechanics, and ergonomic principles when designing physical environments, tools, and equipment for comfort and safety.

Cognitive Ergonomics

Addressing mental workload, decision-making, attention, memory, and learning capabilities when designing cognitive tasks and systems.

Human Reliability

Designing systems with redundancies and fail-safes to mitigate human errors, especially in safety-critical industries.

Aesthetics and Emotion

Considering the emotional impact of design on users, as aesthetically pleasing designs can enhance user satisfaction.