Sample interview questions: Can you discuss a time when you used human factors psychology to improve the safety of a product or system?
Sample answer:
As a Human Factors Psychologist, I have had the opportunity to apply my expertise in improving the safety of various products and systems. One notable example is when I was involved in a project to enhance the safety of a medical device used in a hospital setting.
During the initial assessment, it became clear that the existing design of the device had several usability issues that could potentially compromise patient safety. One of the main concerns was the complex and unintuitive user interface, which led to frequent errors and misunderstandings among healthcare professionals.
To address these issues, I conducted a thorough analysis using human factors principles. This involved observing users in their natural environment, conducting interviews, and collecting feedback regarding their experiences and challenges with the device. I also reviewed incident reports and conducted task analyses to identify potential hazards and risks associated with its use.
Based on these findings, I collaborated with a multidisciplinary team, including engineers and designers, to redesign the device’s user interface. We focused on simplifying the controls, improving the visibility of critical information, and implementing clear and concise instructions for use. We also incorporated feedback from the healthcare professionals to ensure that the device aligned with their workflow and cognitive abilities.
To validate the effectiveness of the redesigned interface, we conducted usability testing with repr… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/7_0_18/Human%20Factors%20Psychologist