Human Factors in Systems Engineering

By Alphonse Chapanis and Chapanis

Book Overview

Human Factors in Systems Engineering shows how to integrate humanfactors into the design of tools, machines, and systems so thatthey match human abilities and limitations. Unlike virtually allother books on human factors, which leave the implementation ofgeneral guidelines to engineers and designers with little or nohuman factors expertise, this unique book shows that the properrole of the human factors specialist is to translate generalguidelines into project specific design requirements to whichengineers can design. Again, while other human factors books ignorethe standards, specifications, requirements, and other workproducts that must be prepared by engineers, this book emphasizesthe methods used to generate the human factors inputs forengineering work products, and the points in the developmentprocess where these inputs are needed.

Comprehensive in its scope, Human Factors in Systems Engineeringuses the systems engineering process to provide a broadunderstanding of the way human factors are used in the developmentprocess. It describes the full cycle of a design and shows whathuman factors inputs engineers and designers need at each stage ofdevelopment.

Well-organized and clearly written, this invaluable text is fullysupported by over a hundred illustrations, thirty tables, handyappendices, and extensive bibliographies. Its practical, hands-onapproach makes it an indispensable resource for professionals andadvanced students in human factors, ergonomics, industrialengineering, and systems engineering.

A unique, step-by-step guide to the application of human factors inthe system development process

Human Factors in Systems Engineering

Unlike most current texts which provide general human factorsrecommendations but leave their interpretation to designers who areusually not trained for it, this book shows the reader how toprepare project specific system requirements that engineers can useeasily and effectively. In addition, it fully explains the variouswork products--the standards and specifications--that engineersmust produce during development, and shows what human factorsinputs are required in each of them. Focusing on the entire systemsengineering process, Human Factors in Systems Engineering offersprofessionals and advanced students a fresh, much-needed approachto the role of human factors in the design of tools, machines, andsystems.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471137820
• ISBN13: 9780471137825
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Essential

Essential reading for the pragmatic, sensible and successful application of Human Factors to anyone in industry.This book has provided me with information of how Human Factors should be applied to the development of a system in the 'real engineering' world. Invaluable. Brilliant. If you are in 'Human Factors' you NEED this book.

A must-have for students and practitioners in human factors!

Alphonse Chapanis is one of the founding fathers of the field of human factors engineering and probably its most important author. His numerous books and publications over the past half century serve as a foundation for those engaged in the design of user-friendly tools, systems and environments. Now he presents what may be his best work, a comprehensive description of how the human factors design process actually proceeds. While most human factors texts have concentrated on questions of describing and optimizing human performance, Chapanis goes one step farther. The goal of this text is to show the human factors practitioner precisely how their inputs should be included at every stage of the engineering design process. Effective coordination with design engineers from other disciplines is the key. Numerous entertaining and thought-provoking case studies are drawn from the authors's vast experience to add spice to the clearly written text. To anyone starting a career in human factors engineering: Buy this book, read it from cover to cover, keep it on your desk and refer to it often.