Human Factors in Systems Engineering

Human Factors in Systems Engineering shows how to integrate human factors into the design of tools, machines, and systems so that they match human abilities and limitations. Unlike virtually all other books on human factors, which leave the implementation of general guidelines to engineers and designers with little or no human factors expertise, this unique book shows that the proper role of the human factors specialist is to translate general guidelines into project specific design requirements to which engineers can design. Again, while other human factors books ignore the standards, specifications, requirements, and other work products that must be prepared by engineers, this book emphasizes the methods used to generate the human factors inputs for engineering work products, and the points in the development process where these inputs are needed.Comprehensive in its scope, Human Factors in Systems Engineering uses the systems engineering process to provide a broad understanding of the way human factors are used in the development process. It describes the full cycle of a design and shows what human factors inputs engineers and designers need at each stage of development.Well-organized and clearly written, this invaluable text is fully supported by over a hundred illustrations, thirty tables, handy appendices, and extensive bibliographies. Its practical, hands-on approach makes it an indispensable resource for professionals and advanced students in human factors, ergonomics, industrial engineering, and systems engineering.A unique, step-by-step guide to the application of human factors in the system development processHuman Factors in Systems EngineeringUnlike most current texts which provide general human factors recommendations but leave their interpretation to designers who are usually not trained for it, this book shows the reader how to prepare project specific system requirements that engineers can use easily and effectively. In addition, it fully explains the various work products-the standards and specifications-that engineers must produce during development, and shows what human factors inputs are required in each of them. Focusing on the entire systems engineering process, Human Factors in Systems Engineering offers professionals and advanced students a fresh, much-needed approach to the role of human factors in the design of tools, machines, and systems.

ALPHONSE CHAPANIS is a retired professor of the Johns Hopkins University where he taught and conducted research on human factors problems for 35 years. He is past president of the Society of Engineering Psychologists, the Human Factors Society, and the International Ergonomics Association. He is also senior author of the first textbook on human factors, Applied Experimental Psychology: Human Factors in Engineering Design, published by Wiley.