Usability and Testing
Getting user feedback on design solutions is key to success. Our usability testing service ensures you get an evaluation that is structured & robust.
Human Factors
Human Factors and Ergonomics are about designing for people. Producing good design requires understanding of peoples’ capabilities and limitations and how these vary across the population. Our work provides a structured, scientific and evidence-based approach to this.
Using Human Factors in the design process provides insight into how different people will use or interact with the design solution. It drives design to meet to peoples’ needs rather than forcing them to adapt. Human Factors brings a people-orientated perspective to the design team.
Services
Workload and Human Error
We have developed a range of tools for assessing workload and human error which been validated in safety critical work environments.
Human Modeling
We use SAMMIE CAD software to give us an objective assessment of design early in development in a way that is quick and cost effective.
Health & Safety
Our team of qualified ergonomists provide risk & ergonomics assessments. We assess a range of workspaces, varying from airport baggage handling to train maintenance pits.
Applied Research
Our practical research projects give scientific basis for answering your questions. Our approach is based on rigour and giving evidence and confidence to the solution.
Human Factors Integration
We provide a Human Factors Integration service that complies with Network Rail, LU and other industry standards.
Our Work
Our thinking
Our clients seek our help to answer their human-related questions. Some the problems we’ve solved and questions we’ve answered recently include:
How can we prove that it is safe to open the hard shoulder to cars using CCTV images to check that the road is clear?
What needs do passengers with buggies have when travelling on our buses?
What effect do steps into a train have on the time it takes passengers to board and alight?
How fast do passengers walk, and is this likely to change in the next 20-30 years?
How do people navigate complex spaces, such as museums, rail stations and airports?
How can we understand the experiences of blind and visually impaired people, and how can a better understanding inform and improve designs?
Why are our passengers not using new ticket machines designed for cashless operation?
What effect to the yellow lines on stations have on passenger behaviour and perceptions of safety?
Human error modelling for ECTMS systems in Scandinavian Rail.
Read detail on our medical & healthcare human factors experience here.
Is this device intuitive to the untrained user?
How can design help to educate patients on the dangers of overuse of antibiotics?
Are the instructions for use of a medical device accurate to the way people want to use it?
Does our device compare to those of competitors?
How do spaces effect the way people collaborate and communicate in office environments?
What critical communication channels need to occur and how can the space facilitate these?
How can design and technology facilitate employee training and learning?
DSE Assessments (Display Screen Equipment) ensure the staff member is set up correctly and supported at their workstation. Aspects such as the desk, chair, environment, equipment positioning and breaks are looked at in more detail and changes and recommendations made where necessary, followed by a report detailing the findings for the companies records. The bottom line is that this then leads to a boost in morale for the end user, better work productivity and less absenteeism.
