Date of MSc: 1985/86
Project Title: Integrating Human Factors Principles into the Design of the User Interface of a CAD environment
Pre-MSc Background: Psychology (BSocSc) & Developmental Psychology (MSc)
Pre-MSc View of HCI/Cognitive Ergonomics:
I was interested in cognitive assessment from my psychology background. I knew nothing about Cognitive Ergonomics. I thought that some exposure to this discipline might equip me to become a better Psychologist.
Post-MSc View of HCI/Cognitive Ergonomics:
I was fascinated by the multi-disciplinary exposure in the first few months. Nonetheless, I felt frustrated by the limited application of my psychology training.
Subsequent-to-MSc View of HCI/Cognitive Ergonomics
What if Cognitive Ergonomics was taught in the Psychology Department? Cognitive Ergonomics was a young discipline then. Would I respond to the course materials differently?
Additional Reflections
After a couple of decades developing financial trading applications myself (I work as a software developer), I have come to realize that most software development does not take usability much into account. The traders (end users) choose the system packed with features first and foremost. I haven’t come across any GAP analysis during system procurement that includes usability as one of the selection criteria. Poorly designed systems can induce more future cost; but no IT function seems to operate with this in mind. The pain is shifted to other parts of the organization (Operations, Finance) by incurring their staff costs; but not in the IT !