What is ISO 9241-210:2019 – Ergonomics of Human System Interaction Human Centered Design for Interactive Systems?

ISO 9241-210:2019-Ergonomics of human-system interaction is an international standard that falls under the broader category of ISO 9241, which is a set of standards related to the ergonomics of human-system interaction. Specifically, ISO 9241-210:2019 focuses on “Human-Centered Design for Interactive Systems.” This standard provides guidelines and principles for designing interactive systems in a way that prioritizes the needs, capabilities, and preferences of users, with the goal of enhancing user satisfaction and usability.

Here are some key points and objectives outlined in ISO 9241-210:2019:

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): The standard emphasizes the importance of HCD, which involves involving end-users throughout the design and development process. This ensures that the resulting interactive systems are more intuitive, efficient, and effective for their intended users.
• Iterative Process: ISO 9241-210 promotes an iterative design process, where designers continuously gather user feedback, refine their designs, and retest them. This iterative approach helps in identifying and addressing usability issues early in the design process.
• User-Centered Approach: The standard underscores the need to understand the users’ characteristics, goals, and tasks in depth. Design decisions should be based on this understanding to create systems that align with users’ needs.
• Applicability: ISO 9241-210 is applicable to various types of interactive systems, including software applications, websites, mobile apps, and hardware interfaces.
• Usability Evaluation: The standard encourages the use of usability evaluation methods, such as user testing and expert evaluations, to assess the effectiveness of the design and make improvements.
• Accessibility: Consideration of accessibility requirements is a key aspect of human-centered design. Designers should ensure that their interactive systems are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Documentation: ISO 9241-210 also emphasizes the importance of documenting the design process, including user research findings, design decisions, and usability testing results.

Overall, ISO 9241-210:2019 provides a framework for designers and developers to create interactive systems that are more user-friendly, efficient, and aligned with the needs and preferences of their target audience. Following the principles and guidelines outlined in this standard can result in products and systems that are better received by users and lead to improved user experiences.

What are the Requirements of ISO 9241-210:2019 – Ergonomics of Human System Interaction?

ISO 9241-210:2019 outlines a set of requirements and recommendations for implementing human-centered design (HCD) for interactive systems. These requirements are intended to guide designers and organizations in creating interactive systems that prioritize user needs and enhance usability and user satisfaction.

Here are some of the key requirements of ISO 9241-210:2019:

• User Involvement: Organizations should involve users throughout the design and development process. This includes identifying and understanding user requirements, preferences, and tasks. User involvement should be continuous and iterative.
• User Requirements: Establish clear and specific user requirements based on the needs, characteristics, and abilities of the intended user groups. This includes defining user profiles, user goals, and any special considerations for users with disabilities.
• Iterative Design: Emphasize an iterative design process where design solutions are developed, tested with users, and refined in multiple cycles. This iterative approach helps identify and address usability issues at various stages of development.
• Usability Goals: Set measurable usability goals and objectives for the interactive system. These goals should align with user needs and expectations and should be used as benchmarks for evaluating the design.
• User-Centered Evaluation: Conduct usability evaluations, such as user testing and expert evaluations, to assess the design’s usability. These evaluations should involve representative users and be conducted throughout the design process.
• Accessibility: Ensure that the interactive system is designed to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes complying with relevant accessibility standards and guidelines.
• Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of the design and development process, including user research findings, design decisions, usability test results, and any changes made in response to user feedback.
• Feedback and Improvement: Establish mechanisms for collecting and incorporating user feedback into the design. Encourage ongoing improvement based on user input.
• Multidisciplinary Teams: Assemble multidisciplinary teams that include expertise in areas such as human factors, interaction design, usability, accessibility, and domain-specific knowledge.
• User-Centered Design Principles: Apply user-centered design principles, which include aspects like task analysis, user interface design, and user feedback integration, to create a user-friendly and efficient interactive system.
• Risk Management: Identify and manage risks associated with the design process and usability issues that could impact user safety or satisfaction.
• Validation and Verification: Perform validation and verification activities to ensure that the interactive system meets the defined user requirements and usability goals.
• Compliance: Ensure that the design process complies with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.

Overall, these requirements, when followed, help organizations create interactive systems that are more effective, efficient, and satisfying for users. ISO 9241-210:2019 serves as a valuable resource for organizations seeking to adopt human-cantered design practices in their product and system development processes.

What are the Benefits of ISO 9241-210:2019 – Ergonomics of Human System Interaction?

ISO 9241-210:2019, which focuses on human-centered design for interactive systems, offers several benefits to organizations, designers, and users alike. Implementing the principles and guidelines outlined in this standard can lead to improved interactive systems and enhanced user experiences.

Here are some of the key benefits:

• Improved User Satisfaction: By prioritizing user needs and involving them in the design process, ISO 9241-210 helps create interactive systems that are more aligned with user expectations and preferences. This, in turn, leads to higher user satisfaction.
• Enhanced Usability: The standard’s emphasis on usability evaluation and iterative design means that interactive systems are more likely to be user-friendly, efficient, and easy to learn and use.
• Reduced Development Costs: Iterative design and usability testing can identify and address usability issues early in the development process, reducing the need for costly redesigns and post-launch fixes.
• Increased Efficiency: Well-designed interactive systems are more efficient for users, leading to improved productivity and task completion rates. This can be particularly important in business and industrial applications.
• Better Accessibility: ISO 9241-210 encourages organizations to consider the accessibility needs of users with disabilities. This promotes inclusivity and compliance with accessibility regulations.
• Risk Reduction: By actively involving users and conducting usability evaluations, organizations can identify and mitigate potential risks associated with usability issues. This can help prevent costly errors and negative user experiences.
• Competitive Advantage: Organizations that follow human-centered design principles are more likely to produce interactive systems that stand out in the market due to their user-friendly nature and improved user experiences.
• Innovation: User involvement and iterative design can stimulate innovation by uncovering new insights, opportunities, and creative solutions to design challenges.
• Clear Documentation: ISO 9241-210 promotes thorough documentation of the design process, which can serve as a valuable resource for future updates and maintenance of the interactive system.
• Regulatory Compliance: Following ISO 9241-210 can help organizations demonstrate compliance with international standards and industry regulations related to human-system interaction and usability.
• Positive Reputation: Organizations that prioritize user-centered design and adhere to ISO 9241-210’s guidelines are likely to build a positive reputation for producing high-quality, user-friendly products and systems.
• User Loyalty: Providing users with interactive systems that are easy to use and meet their needs can foster user loyalty and long-term customer relationships.
• Reduced Support and Training Costs: When interactive systems are intuitive and easy to use, organizations may experience reduced customer support requests and lower training costs for end-users.

In summary, ISO 9241-210:2019 promotes a user-centered approach to design and development, leading to better interactive systems, improved user experiences, and a range of advantages for organizations, including cost savings, enhanced competitiveness, and positive customer relationships.

Who Needs ISO 9241-210:2019?

ISO 9241-210:2019, which addresses human-centered design for interactive systems, is relevant and beneficial for a wide range of stakeholders and organizations involved in the design, development, and deployment of interactive systems.

Here are some of the key groups and individuals who can benefit from and need to consider ISO 9241-210:

• Designers and Developers: Designers and developers of interactive systems, including software applications, websites, mobile apps, and hardware interfaces, are primary beneficiaries. They need to follow the guidelines and principles outlined in ISO 9241-210 to create user-friendly and efficient systems.
• Organizations: Any organization that produces or commissions interactive systems can benefit from ISO 9241-210. This includes businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions. Adhering to this standard can help organizations produce higher-quality products and services.
• Product Managers: Product managers responsible for the development of interactive systems should be familiar with ISO 9241-210 to ensure that the product development process aligns with user-centered design principles.
• User Experience (UX) Designers: UX designers play a central role in implementing the principles of ISO 9241-210. They are responsible for designing interfaces that are user-friendly, efficient, and aligned with user needs and goals.
• User Researchers: User researchers conduct studies to understand user needs, preferences, and behavior. Their work is essential for informing the user-centered design process recommended by ISO 9241-210.
• Usability Professionals: Usability professionals and experts play a critical role in evaluating the usability of interactive systems, as recommended by the standard. They help identify and address usability issues through evaluations and testing.
• Accessibility Specialists: Accessibility specialists ensure that interactive systems are designed and developed to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, in compliance with relevant accessibility standards. ISO 9241-210 underscores the importance of accessibility considerations.
• Regulatory Authorities: Regulatory authorities and industry regulators may reference ISO 9241-210 as a standard that organizations should follow to meet certain requirements related to human-system interaction and usability.
• Academics and Researchers: Researchers and academics in the fields of human-computer interaction, usability engineering, and ergonomics can use ISO 9241-210 as a reference in their research and teaching activities.
• Consultants and Third-Party Auditors: Consultants and auditors specializing in usability and human-centered design can use ISO 9241-210 as a framework for assessing and improving the design processes of client organizations.
• End-Users: While end-users may not directly implement ISO 9241-210, they benefit from the standard indirectly because it promotes the creation of interactive systems that are more user-friendly and aligned with their needs.

In summary, ISO 9241-210:2019-Ergonomics of human-system interaction is a valuable resource for anyone in the design, development, evaluation, or management of interactive systems. It provides a framework for creating user-centered designs that can lead to improved usability, user satisfaction, and the overall quality of interactive products and services.

What is ISO 9241-220:2019 Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 220: Processes for enabling, executing and assessing human-centred design within organizations?

ISO 9241-220:2019 is an international standard that falls under the ISO 9241 series, which focuses on ergonomics of human-system interaction. Specifically, ISO 9241-220:2019 addresses the processes for enabling, executing, and assessing human-centered design within organizations.

Here’s a breakdown of what this standard entails:

• Ergonomics of Human-System Interaction: This standard is concerned with the field of ergonomics, which is the study of designing products, systems, and interactions to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Human-centered design is an approach that places the needs, preferences, and abilities of users at the forefront of the design process. It emphasizes the importance of involving users throughout the design and development phases to create products and systems that are user-friendly and effective.
• Processes for Enabling, Executing, and Assessing: ISO 9241-220 provides guidance on the processes that organizations should follow to enable, execute, and assess human-centered design practices. This involves establishing methods and procedures to incorporate HCD principles into their product or system development processes.
• Within Organizations: The standard is applicable within organizations, emphasizing the importance of integrating human-centered design practices into an organization’s culture and workflow.

In summary, ISO 9241-220:2019 sets out guidelines and best practices for organizations to implement human-centered design processes effectively. It helps organizations ensure that their products and systems are designed with a focus on the needs and capabilities of the end-users, ultimately leading to better usability, user satisfaction, and overall system performance.

What is ISO 9241-171:2008 Ergonomics of human-system interaction-Guidance on software accessibility?

ISO 9241-171:2008 is an international standard that falls under the broader category of ISO 9241, which pertains to ergonomics of human-system interaction. Specifically, ISO 9241-171 focuses on software accessibility, providing guidance on how to design software in a way that makes it accessible to individuals with disabilities.

ISO 9241-171:2008 standard aims to help organizations and software developers create software applications, including websites and other digital interfaces, that can be used effectively by people with a wide range of disabilities, including but not limited to visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.

ISO 9241-171 provides guidance and recommendations on various aspects of software accessibility, including:

1. User interface design: It offers guidelines for designing user interfaces that are intuitive, easy to navigate, and inclusive of users with disabilities.
2. Accessibility features: The standard outlines features and functionalities that should incorporate into software to enhance accessibility. This can include support for screen readers, keyboard navigation, captioning for multimedia content, and more.
3. Testing and evaluation: ISO 9241-171 provides recommendations on how to test software for accessibility and evaluate its compliance with accessibility standards. This involves conducting usability testing with individuals who have disabilities to ensure that the software meets their needs.
4. Documentation and user assistance: It advises on providing clear and accessible documentation and user assistance to help users, including those with disabilities, understand how to use the software effectively.
5. Compatibility with assistive technologies: The standard emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the software is compatible with various assistive technologies commonly used by people with disabilities, such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, and speech recognition software.

Overall, by following the guidance outlined in ISO 9241-171, software developers and organizations can create software that is more inclusive and accessible to a broader audience, promoting equal access and usability for individuals with disabilities. It helps organizations meet legal requirements related to accessibility and contribute to a more inclusive digital environment.

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Also read: ISO 13485:2016