Week two Flashcards
Key Terms
Function allocation
Allocation of functions can be described as the decision within system development for deciding whether a particular function will be accomplished by a person, technology (hardware or software) or some mix of person and technology.
Homoeostasis
Many systems operate as steady states, although we need to appreciate that a perfect steady state is very rare and we are usually referring to continuous fluctuations between relatively narrow fine limits.
Human-machine system
A human machine system describes a system in which the functions of a human operator (or a group of operators) and a machine are integrated.
Iterative design
an iterative approach is inevitable, with a series of refining stages or design cycles in order to ‘knock the design into shape’. Iterative design can therefore be defined as a process of design incorporating an ongoing cycle of assessment, design, evaluation.
Performance specification
Initially the overall financial, operational or organisational objectives of the system must be determined. These objectives are usually stated in very general terms. Following this, systems performance specifications may be prepared which define more specifically what the system must do to meet its objectives. The performance specifications detail the requirements for optimising human technology interface.
Sociotechnical system
describes the interaction between human and machine elements.
System
A system is generally viewed as a transformation process that converts a range of inputs into outputs.
System boundary
The systems boundary therefore refers to where the limit to a specific human machine interface is defined, and demarcates the area of interest.
Active failure:
An active failure describes a feature that originates in top-level decisions, resulting in error- producing and violation-promoting conditions in the workplace. Active failures lead to unsafe acts committed by those at the immediate human-system interface.
Latent failure
Latent failures are apparent failures in the design of organisational systems, the environment, or equipment that are often hidden until they contribute to the occurrence of errors or allow errors to go unrecognised until harm results.
