It is important that the designer looks at the performance of the manned system, not just the system itself. The user interface is more than what the person can see, touch or hear. The user interface includes the concepts that the user needs to know about in order to use the system to perform the required tasks. In order to design a usable product, you need to ensure that you understand the goals of the system, the user and the organisation that the system will go into. The application of human factors techniques builds a bridge between users and engineers.

The consultants at HFE Solutions have developed a process that integrates with formal methods such as object modelling and unified modelling techniques to provide a coherent approach all the way from the analysis of user requirements through to the final design.

At HFE Solutions, we utilise techniques such as rapid prototyping, questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, link analysis and task analysis; thereby allowing all parties to contribute on the same footing to facilitate the design of a usable system.

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Understanding user's operational requirements is the key to developing good systems. Although environments such as MS Windows, Mackintosh OS and Motif provide useful tools to aid design, their use does not guarantee usability. Standards such as ISO 9241 address this area by identifying when and where not to use specific interface devices.

A user centred operational requirement approach encourages the development of user friendly systems. The user interface of the system must efficiently support the user in their tasks, not hinder them, cause frustration, or leave them feeling helpless or inadequate.

The assessment and analysis of user requirements provides the framework for the design of a usable system.

HFE Solutions are able to offer an expert assessment of your systems or products in terms of their usability. The assessment allows the identification of factors which contribute to and detract from, the appeal of your product or service to certain market sectors. Typically the analysis would be performed on your site with either the product/service or a prototype and could include the assessment of a range of competitor products. We look at performance factors and user opinion to discern how and what could be improved and then help the design team to translate these practical recommendations into reality.

Ensuring your design is suitable for use by all is quickly becoming a prime factor for the manufacturers of consumer products, the heads of services and of public systems. At HFE Solutions we can help identify how accessible your product or service is and then either recommend improvements or give you the all clear! Our recommendations will be context and restraint sensitive, fully compliant with legislation and with a view to moving towards optimal practice.

We routinely arrange for trial participants in accordance with criteria relevant to your project, providing a suitable range of age, body size, skills, economic status, life styles, etc. The trials can be run at any suitable venue, your site or ours; wherever is most convenient. When necessary we can also create hardware or software prototypes for use in the assessment.

It is well established that marketing needs to take account of who will use the system, how and where they will use it, and what they will use it for. Analysis of this information can give you a marketing edge by letting your customers know the importance you place on the usability of your product.

At HFE Solutions we can provide a structured approach to supporting your technical marketing, by using a variety of techniques. This can build a bridge between the market and the development process.