Study of Human factors in

Software Engineering
CSC 532
Sree Harsha Pothireddy

Why do software products fail?

Poor

management
Inadequate planning
Ineffective testing
Improper design and architecture
Improper use/availability of resources
Time constraints
and

What are Human factors?

Human

factors is the discipline that tries

to establish a relationship between
technology and the human.

Human

factors deal with the human

behavior, abilities, limitations to the use
of software, tools and other jobs to make
their use easier.(Human Computer
Interaction HCI)

Issues of Concern
Identifying

end-users and requirements

Understanding
Quality

end-user psychology

and performance

Advantages
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Higher user satisfaction

Lower user fatigue
Lower training time and costs
Lower product liability
Lower operator stress
Lower operating costs
Lesser operational errors
Greater system performance

Who implements Human factors?

Interface

designers
Engineering psychologists

Usability
An

external attribute of software quality.

Addresses the relationship between tools
and their users.
Ensures appropriate flow and
functionality of the software.

Components of Usability
User

interface design.
Website design
Rapid prototyping techniques
Groupware
Usability evaluation
Digital design
Digital typography

Ergonomics
Application of scientific information
concerning humans to the design of
objects, systems and environment for
human use.

Application of Ergonomics
Design

of computers and peripherals

Planning
Design

and implementation of jobs

of equipment and work areas

Software ergonomics
Design

of computer supported work.

Solves problems of subject matter and
interaction.
Improves system functionality.
Design of dialog boxes, menus,
input/output displays.

Conclusion
Every

software engineer should realize

the importance of a user in the software
life cycle.

Understand

the importance of userfriendliness and easy -to -learn property

of a software product to make it popular.

Thank You!!

Questions?