Systems Usability

Some key challenges

• Person-system interfaces can be very complex with the use of multiple platforms

• Attempts to automate, digitise and use AI can make tasks harder not easier and also render systems opaque to users. 

• That opacity can be very challenging as it leads to deskilling of those doing the work which is often OK in routine operations but can bite with a vengeance when unusual situations arise

Solutions

The judicious and careful combination of

• User requirement specification

• Job and Task Analysis

• Focused, bespoke training

• Good support systems
  

Thinking about the issue

There is little point in having a system that people cannot use. Usability includes not only such thing as:

• Data input devices via touch screens, control devices both soft and hard wired
• Screen interfaces on computers, web pages, mobile devices, and the like
• Auditory data that give feedback and provides information 

But also, and very importantly

• The underlying logical structure of tasks that users have to undertake.