The Human-Centered Design approach for Operational Workflow Re-design: A Case Study in Safety for Agricultural Automotive Industry

Abstract

Traditionally, Safe Design has been applied mainly to product and environmental aspects, including sectors such as control rooms, automotive engineering, and medical equipment. However, its principles have been less frequently considered in critical organizational workflows. This paper addresses this gap by proposing an innovative application of a user-centered methodology to redesign procedures within industrial settings, with a specific focus on enhancing safety protocols in the Safety & Compliance teams of the agricultural automotive sector.Safety procedures are vital throughout the product lifecycle in industrial design, serving as essential safeguards against potential hazards. However, their effectiveness can be hindered by complexity, lack of user-friendliness, and insufficient attention to human factors. This paper seeks to address these issues by integrating a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach into the safety protocols redesign process, thereby improving usability, effectiveness, and overall user experience.Two key elements for the success of this project are the integration of the HCD approach, which prioritizes end-users' needs, preferences, and capabilities, and the adoption of a redesign perspective rather than traditional procedural design. In conclusion, this article highlights the importance of extending Safe Design principles to include critical organizational workflows, particularly safety protocols. By integrating the HCD approach and focusing on procedural redesign, organizations can enhance the usability and effectiveness of their safety procedures, reinforcing their commitment to safety throughout the product lifecycle while also improving workflow efficiency.

Keywords: Human Factors, Safety Design, Operational Workflow, Human Centered Design

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005629