Usability assessments
Usability assessments are designed to address the relationship between tools and their users. In order for a tool to be effective, it must allow intended users to accomplish their tasks in the best way possible. This principle applies to practically any product or system, from computers, websites to handheld devices. In order for these systems to work, their users must be able to employ them effectively. Usability assessments play a fundamental role in discovering usability problems and benchmarking the products’ ease of use. It measures of the quality of a user's experience when interacting with a product or system; with the results being used to assess the product against the user experience and if it meets its intended target for performance.
Usability assessments are an integral part in the development of a product or system. From the user's perspective such assessments are important as it they can identify whether tasks that are required to be performed are completed accurately or not, and as a result, where improvements can be made. From the developer's perspective usability is important as it can mean the difference between the success or failure of a product or system. From a management point of view, products or systems with poor usability can reduce the productivity of the workforce to a level of performance.
Human Engineering has an extensive and diverse experience in usability assessments. Our staff of highly qualified psychologists and ergonomists have conducted usability assessments for a broad range of sectors including: the medical industry, rail, aviation and defence. Assessments that have been undertaken have included the ergonomic assessment of medical products (i.e.: insulin pens), the HCI of complex computer systems (i.e.: railway signalling software) and the development of system critical workstations (i.e. train operators cabs). Human Engineering has developed and undertaken many such assessments in line with client requirements, providing feedback and recommendations that have resulted in many successful products and systems being developed and used by our clients.