In Step 2. Describe Workforce Characteristics you develop a set of characteristics of the individual worker and/or workforce. Refer to the information to the right for additional details and when ready click on Age below to begin: Age Gender Stature/Morphology Hand Dominance Training Experience  Use the Step-by-Step Checklist to track your progress.
Access the Checklist | Workforce Characteristics Determining  Perhaps you are designing without a specific workforce in mind, you first need to determine the set of workforce characteristics for whom you are designing. For example in terms of workstation height, reach, clearance, etc. a typical convention is to design for the 5th percentile female (5' 0" – depending on the data base) to a 95th percentile male (6' 2" – depending on the data base.) You will also need to determine the level of training and experience the workforce will require to successfully complete the job tasks. For example, is this a basic entry level position requiring minimal training/experience or is this a complex process with high level training and experience needed?
In any event you determine the set of workforce characteristics needed to successfully accomplish the end result. Identifying AND Determining Many times, more than likely you will combine the Identifying and Determining steps. You are designing for an existing workforce but recognize the workforce characteristics can and will change. Final Product The level of detail of the final product of Step 2. Describe Workforce Characteristics will vary based on the scope of the project. For example, you may have a small defined group you are working with and a simple observation of the group will provide you with the information you need. Or you may be designing a process that will introduced around the world; in this case you will probably need to conduct a detailed and comprehensive analysis. Information may be obtained from Human Resources. Bottom-line Please invest the time up front to determine the work force characteristics. You will use this information in Step 3 to develop the general design, set-up and use of the workstation. |