USABILITY ENGINEERING AND HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION

Introduction
Generally a field is concerned with human computer interaction and specifically with making human computer interface that have high usability or user friendliness, also usability engineering in contrast interaction design and user experience design implies more of a focus on assessing and making recommendations to improve usability than it does on design.

Short history
Around 1945 people were studying ergonomics (efficiency) of machines.E.g. ergonomic society of UK was found in 1949.In 1960,s most computer software and hardware users were computing professionals.In1970’s the computer users were diverse so came a need of human interactive system.HCI has developed into a discipline or field in its own right over the last ten years or so.

Usability engineering
Is the technique of developing a system which is interactive, usable or meets the needs of users.
Usability is a system that takes account of users’ capability, limitations and needs.
Human computer interaction is the discipline which deals with the study of interaction between users and computers, for an interactive system to be useful it should be goal centred.

Importance of usability engineering and human computer interaction
Ø Increases the productivity-as its work force is more productive
Ø Decrease training and supportive costs.
Ø Increase the customer satisfaction and decreases technophobia.
Ø Reduces disastrous and fatal errors in the system which are safety-critical.

In order to achieve usability engineering and computer interaction approaches of designing product must be improved as Product centred design and User centred design.
Product centred design is the production process why by it doesn’t take an account of the users needs. The result of a good design is having a product working. The products specification are derived from the customer, there is no further contact until delivery.
All the procedures must followed as follows Requirement analysis, Design,code, Test and the maintenance.

User centred design is the design practice which is rooted in the idea that user must take center stage in the design of any computer system, to make human being a focal point that technology should serve rather than the other way round.
The process of design is collaboration between designers and users, user and designer are in contact communication during the entire process, the result of a good design is satisfied by user. Designing procedures is important ant and it is cycle process the designer must plan strategy and process, research and specify requirements, , research and specify context of use, produce design solution evaluation design against requirements if meets the requirement finish the project, but if not the designer continuo following the procedures again until he or she meets his or her aim.
Conclusion
It hard to get requirements from users who have no technique expertise. Due to technological advancements, the societies’ need varies with time. Large amount of fund is need in the development of new product. Difficult to build a system which can suit all types of users and their needs. But Usability Engineering and Human Computer Interaction is all about to impart, designers, developers and implementers with the necessity of usefulness and usability of the products which in turn will bring about good functionality, high efficiency and eventually increased productivity of the products or machines.