In a commercial environment poor usability can impact sales and customer experience. In safety critical environments, poor usability can have far more serious consequences.
Risk Based Usability
The history books are littered with examples of how Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) have been the causal factor in major accidents. Recent examples include Boeing’s Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), where the user interface didn’t adequately inform pilots about the existence and functioning of MCAS, which contributed to two major accidents.
At Human Edge Consulting we take a risk based approach to optimise the design of safety critical user interfaces. We identify and prioritise features that have the greatest impact on safety and performance, and provide design solutions to eliminate errors and improve efficiency.
We have experience in complex rail control systems including European Train Control System (ETCS), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), and industrial SCADA systems.