Re: starting human factors work

Hi Carrie,

The Handbook of Usability Testing (2ed) is an excellent all-around reference
and includes some advice on integrating usability/HF into a company.
http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Usability-Testing-Conduct-Effective/dp/0470185481/

User-Centered Design Stories is a book of "real-world UCD case studies" that
could be useful.
http://www.amazon.com/User-Centered-Design-Stories-Interactive-Technologies/dp/0123706084/

And of course the various societies and conferences can be good places to
look for practical tips on starting work like this. Specifically, the UPA
and STC's usability group have a (mostly) practitioner focus. CHI and HFES
may also have some info but tend to be more research focused.

Best of luck!
Kevin

On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 4:00 PM, Carrie Lee <[email protected]> wrote:

> hi all,
>
> i recently started at a company where I am the first Human Factors Engineer
> they've ever had. I've been in this position before at another company and
> it didn't go to well since developers were used to making all the decisions
> themselves and didn't want to listen to anyone, even the users. These
> developers would insist that users are stupid and they (the developers)
> know
> what is best. (I don't work there anymore.)
>
> Can anyone point me to articles or books that talk about how to start a
> successful Human Factors discipline within a company that never had
> anything
> like this???
>
> It's obvious this company needs people like me, but some developers here
> seem to be on a similar path - saying they know what is best and
> disregarding research and recommendations from users. I still find myself
> implementing what someone "thinks" is best, despite research and
> recommendations going the opposite way.
>
> The company did hire me, although I don't know who championed that
> decision.
> My direct manager is a project manager, and I am part of the software
> engineering team. Everyone likes the idea of having human factors work
> done,
> but not when it messes with any deadlines. I was initially asked to give
> recommendations for a product that is scheduled to be shipped out on Feb
> 15.
> Needless to say, my recommendations are not being considered since it's too
> late to make design/development changes....
>
> - carrie
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