A systems concept for modelling the ergonomics design process within the product conceptualisation and development frame

Abstract

Product design is a problem-solving task that deals with the design of a complex human–environment system. The design process requires a widely empirical and expert-driven approach due to the inner variations and the limited understanding of the non-linear system behaviour. In a first step, this article proposes an extended human–environment system model that, based on the notion of systems theory, incorporates many existing micro-ergonomics and macro-ergonomics concepts from different disciplinary backgrounds into a comprehensive model. This would allow a more systematic optimisation of the design process by jointly accomplishing the various aspects and theories in a single model frame. In a second step, this concept is extended to model the design process. Using the same formal notion, an integrated modelling of the design process and the design object is suggested that enables studying the interactions of both, for example to model adequate design strategies for different design problems.

Relevance to ergonomics theory

This article describes an extension of the systems engineering approach to model human-specific behaviour and response characteristics, including environmental and social contexts. Many existing approaches and models may be integrated into a single comprehensive model. Further, this approach is extended to model the design process itself with a compatible notion. This allows an integrated modelling of the design object and the design process, including the interaction of both levels.

Keywords:

• product design
• human–environment system
• design process
• design model
• complexity