Usability engineering focuses on making computer interfaces easy to use for humans. Usability engineers simplify tasks, make interfaces easy to read, and automate complicated tasks. Comfort is the most important factor, and hands-on studies are the most common method used. Originally, people with humanities degrees did most of the work, but now there are specific programs for usability engineering.
Usability engineering is a field that focuses on the interaction between humans and computer interfaces. In the most basic terms, a usability engineer works to make human operators happy with the experience of using the interface. This is done by simplifying common tasks, making the interface easy to read and understand, and automating technical or complicated tasks. In general, people with a bachelor’s degree in the humanities and a secondary in a technical field do the majority of usability engineering, but some institutions have degrees in the subject itself.
While some usability engineering focuses on mechanical interfaces, such as those on a car or heavy machinery, most of the study is on electronic interfaces. These interfaces can be a standard computer operating system or a specialized system on a cash register, ATM or specific software.
The most important factor in usability engineering is comfort. It is far more important for a user to feel comfortable with an interface than to have access to every imaginable option. For example, if a user interface has too many options on the main page, a user might feel overwhelmed with choices. If a usability engineer puts only the most important options on the main page and the rest on easily accessible subpages, the user will be less overwhelmed and more comfortable. While it may be more efficient to have things in one place, it’s less friendly.
This most common method used by usability engineers is a hands-on study. In these cases, an engineer will give a person access to the interface, often with little or no instruction on how to use it. The subject will be given a series of tasks to complete using the interface. After completing or failing the tasks, the engineer will ask the subject questions about the interface, finding out which areas worked and which didn’t. Most practical studies have multiple participants to prevent one subject from skewing the data.
Originally, people with humanities degrees, such as psychology or anthropology, did most of the usability engineering. These people generally had minor or secondary interests in technical fields. This combination gave them the understanding of both human behavior and machine operation that was needed for the field. While this combination is still very common, many new usability engineers have gone into straight-forward programs that focus specifically on usability. Additionally, many technical training courses cover usability to a much greater extent than before, providing interface designers with the tools they need to direct their own tests.
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