Cornell University Ergonomics Web

DEA 3250/6510 CLASS NOTES

Human Factors and Systems

Systems

1. Definition - The concept of a system is fundamental and central to Human Factors. This concept has been described in several ways:
"A system is an entity that exists to carry out some purpose" (Bailey, 1982).
"A system is an organized or complex whole: an assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex, unitary whole." (von Bertalanffy, 1935).


2. "Person-Machine System" - A combination of one or move human beings and one or more physical components interacting to bring about, from given inputs, some desired outputs. A machine can be a product, equipment, device, or environment.

Operator Machine
Perceiving Display
Interpreting Output
Decision Input
Controlling Control Instruments


Performance - of any system is determined by the weakest link. People are have poor reliability, information recall, and accuracy. But they are good at recovering from the unpredictable. The brain has the ability to create information when nothing exists so it is not limited.

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