1984/85 Brook Lee

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 !