A critical aspect of health and safety that often gets overlooked—reducing human error. It’s a big deal when it comes to minimizing injuries and accidents.
As we continue to innovate and adopt complex machines, it’s important to recognize that these advancements can inadvertently increase the potential for human error. While machine learning and complex systems have their benefits, they can also complicate things for us.
To help bridge the gap between humans and machines, I’ve created a checklist focused on cognitive ergonomics, or human factors. This checklist is designed to ensure we’re fitting the human to the machine effectively, which is crucial for improving safety outcomes.
Cognitive Ergonomic Checklist:
Pre-Design Phase
- Conduct a analysis of the target users’ cognitive abilities and limitations
- Identify cognitive tasks and mental processes involved in the intended use of the system
Research and Analysis Phase
- Perform cognitive task analysis to understand cognitive demands of the system
- Evaluate potential cognitive stressors and sources of cognitive overload in the system
- Investigate cognitive ergonomics control measures used in similar systems or industries
Design Phase
- Incorporate cognitive ergonomics principles into the design process
- Develop user interfaces that support cognitive processes and mental models
Prototyping and Iteration Phase
- Create prototypes to test cognitive ergonomics of the system with end-users
- Gather feedback on the design’s effectiveness in reducing cognitive strain
- Iterate design based on user feedback and cognitive ergonomics principles
Testing and Validation Phase
- Conduct usability testing to assess the cognitive workload imposed by the system
- Validate the effectiveness of cognitive ergonomics controls through user testing
- Ensure the system meets cognitive performance objectives and user satisfaction criteria
Implementation and Deployment Phase
- Provide training on cognitive ergonomics best practices for users and stakeholders
- Monitor the system’s cognitive ergonomics performance in real-world usage
- Establish a system for collecting and analyzing cognitive ergonomics data for continuous improvement
Evaluation and Optimization Phase
- Conduct post-implementation evaluations to measure system’s impact on cognitive workload
- Identify opportunities for optimizing cognitive ergonomics controls based on user feedback and data analysis
- Continuously refine the system’s cognitive ergonomics to improve user experience and performance
Together, we can create a safer, more productive workplace
