Introduction
User trials in ergonomics are essential for creating human-centred designs that account for cultural, social, and contextual factors. This guide outlines a structured process for conducting ergonomic user research, incorporating design ethnography methods, digital human modelling (DHM), and key ISO standards like ISO 9241-210 for human-centred design.
By following these steps, you’ll gain actionable insights into user behaviours, improving usability, efficiency, and satisfaction in products, services, or environments.
Step-by-Step Process for Designing User Trials in Ergonomics
Define Objectives and Scope
Start by outlining clear goals for your ergonomic user research, such as evaluating product interactions, environmental usability, or biomechanical performance. Align with human-centred design principles from ISO 9241-210 to focus on user needs and contexts.
Identify and Recruit Participants
Target users based on demographics, geography, and psychographics to represent the end-user population. Use methods like surveys or community outreach, ensuring compliance with ISO 9241-11 for context of use.
Develop Research Tools and Methods
Select usability testing methods including participant observation, in-depth interviews, contextual enquiries, and digital human modelling (DHM). Prepare tools like interview guides, checklists, and DHM software (e.g., Process Simulate).
Plan the Fieldwork
Choose natural settings for observations to capture real-world interactions. Prioritise ethics with informed consent and confidentiality, incorporating ISO 6385 for ergonomic work system design. For DHM, plan virtual simulations to model user interactions with products or environments.
Conduct the Fieldwork
Observe users in their environments, noting behaviours and conducting interviews for deeper insights. Apply ISO 9241-210 to involve users continuously and understand their limitations. Use DHM to simulate ergonomic interactions, such as posture, reach, or force exertion, to complement physical observations.
Analyse the Data
Transcribe and categorise data to identify themes related to cultural, social, and biomechanical influences. Integrate DHM data (e.g., joint stress or workspace fit) with qualitative findings.
Synthesise Insights and Develop Personas
Build personas capturing user characteristics, needs, and biomechanical profiles. Create journey maps to highlight pain points, incorporating DHM insights for ergonomic risks.
Ideate and Prototype Solutions
Brainstorm ideas based on insights, then develop low-fidelity prototypes. Use DHM to test virtual prototypes for ergonomic fit before physical development. Involve users per ISO 9241-210 to ground solutions in real needs.
Validate and Iterate
Test prototypes via usability testing (ISO 9241-11) and DHM simulations to validate design assumptions, focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Refine based on user feedback and DHM metrics (e.g., comfort scores), iterating until goals are met.
Report and Communicate Findings
Compile a report with findings, DHM results, and recommendations, using clear visuals like simulation snapshots. Share via presentations, adhering to ISO 9241-20 for an ergonomic approach to accessibility.
Integrating Design Ethnography and Digital Human Modelling in Ergonomics
Design ethnography enhances ergonomic research by studying extreme and average users for broad insights, focusing on real-time interactions, context of use, and “messy reality” through techniques like field visits, shadowing, day-in-the-life studies, contextual enquiry, and customer discovery interviews. Analysis is “just enough” to test assumptions, with findings shared internally. Track all service interactions to uncover shifting needs.
Digital human modelling (DHM) is an effective method to complement user trials by simulating human interactions with products or environments in a virtual space. Tools like Process Simulate or AnyBody Modelling System allow researchers to model anthropometric data, posture, and biomechanical loads, identifying ergonomic risks (e.g., repetitive strain or poor posture) without physical trials.
DHM reduces costs and time, enabling rapid iteration of designs before prototyping. It aligns with ISO 9241-210 by ensuring designs meet user needs through virtual validation, complementing real-world fieldwork for a comprehensive approach.
Example 12-Week Timeline with ISO Standards
|
Week
|
Phase
|
Key Activities (with ISO References)
|
|---|---|---|
|
1-2 |
Preparation |
Define objectives (ISO 9241-210); Recruit participants (ISO 9241-11); Select DHM tools |
|
3-4 |
Fieldwork |
Observations and interviews (ISO 9241-210); Contextual enquiries (ISO 6385); DHM simulations |
|
5-6 |
Analysis |
Transcribe data, thematic analysis, and DHM data integration (ISO 9241-210); Develop personas/journey maps (ISO 9241-210) |
|
7-8 |
Ideation & Prototyping |
Brainstorm, create prototypes, and test with DHM (ISO 9241-210) |
|
9-10 |
Validation & Iteration |
User testing, DHM simulations, and refinements (ISO 9241-11, ISO 9241-210) |
|
11-12 |
Reporting |
Document and present findings with DHM visuals (ISO 9241-20) |
Conclusion
This approach to user trials in ergonomics, enhanced by digital human modelling, yields context-rich insights for user-centred solutions. Incorporate human factors research, iterative methods, and DHM to address real-world challenges effectively.
Need help with your work related upper limb disorder assessments and ergonomics improvement process? Contact Morgan Maxwell today to speak with a Chartered Ergonomist. We can support you with industrial ergonomics assessments & surveys and ergonomics training in the use of a range of ergonomics tools.
If you’re unsure whether you need a Chartered Ergonomist’s expertise, see our blog post first: What is a Chartered Ergonomist?, and drop us a line with any questions.
