HCD Defined
The HCD method is extremely valuable when building an innovative and compelling machine that operators and owners will truly appreciate, want, and ask for. This framework integrates practices that require a deep understanding of user’s needs, contexts, behaviors, wants, habits (good or bad), and past & anticipated future interactions with a machine. The ultimate goal is to develop an understanding of the customer.
Forming an HCD Team
The first step in HCD is gathering the proper team. The team should consist of key stakeholders who will influence the fundamental aspects of the machine engineering, procurement, assembly, testing, etc. Teams can include individuals such as salespeople, engineers, safety managers, supervisors, operations & purchasing managers or team members, field service & maintenance personnel, and business owners, just to name a few. Each team member will raise relevant concerns and potential problems in the beginning of the process to expedite completion of a viable design.
HCD Method
The next step of the process is to collect and prioritize key ideas. Having a diversity of stakeholders addresses issues and roadblocks early on in the process. In standard design practices where teams use a chain method for review and approval, some issues may not be discovered until later in the process, resulting in delays. Some of these issues include: utilizing parts that are difficult to obtain, excluding necessary safety precautions, or making the machine difficult to service in the field.
With the HCD team approach, issues can be identified and addressed early in the process, before the details of the design are worked out. Ultimately, we’ve seen that the HCD process can reduce design time by weeks, if not months.
Final Steps of the HCD Process
After final design is agreed upon by all stakeholders, the prototype is developed. If the product was designed with simple production in mind, then this can be done quickly. At this point, an original equipment manufacturer can share or test what you’ve made with the end user. This gives you the ability to perform a field test which can give you a more accurate test of the design and allows you to collect feedback on any adjustments that may be required.
Final Thoughts: Know your Customer, Operator, and User
The core concept of human centered design is having empathy with the person that will use or buy your machine. Without that understanding, human centered design cannot be effectively implemented.
About Us
At Applied Fluid Power’s P1 (Power of One) systems engineering team, we employ a number of different technologies, disciplines, and processes to assist you in your design of electro-hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, automation and fluid conveyance systems. If necessary, our team can integrate all these technologies in one design.
