Human-Centered Engineering: Integrating Human Factors in Modern Engineering System Design
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62872/8vnwgp88Keywords:
Human-Centered Engineering, Human Factors, Ergonomics, Human Systems Integration, System Design, sustainabilityAbstract
This study explores the integration of human factors into modern engineering systems through a human-centered engineering approach that emphasizes safety, usability, and long-term socio-technical sustainability. The increasing complexity of engineering systems, driven by digitalization and automation, necessitates a shift from technology-centered design toward approaches that prioritize human interaction and well-being. The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining a systematic literature review, expert interviews, and case study analysis across industrial, healthcare, and digital system contexts. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, content analysis, and comparative evaluation to identify key dimensions of human-centered engineering, including physical, cognitive, and organizational ergonomics, as well as Human-Centered Design (HCD) and Human Systems Integration (HSI). The results indicate that integrating human-centered components significantly enhances system performance, particularly in terms of safety, usability, efficiency, and adaptability. The discussion reveals that the synergy between human factors and digital technologies, such as human modeling and simulation, plays a critical role in optimizing system design. However, challenges remain in terms of late integration, interdisciplinary collaboration, and limited representation of human factors in digital engineering frameworks. In conclusion, the development of modern engineering systems requires a comprehensive human-centered strategy that aligns technological innovation with human needs to achieve resilient, efficient, and sustainable systems.
Downloads
References
Amokrane-Ferka, K., & Hein, A. (2022). A meta-model for integrating human factors into system engineering. INCOSE International Symposium, 32. https://doi.org/10.1002/iis2.12876
Azodo, A. (2025). Human-centered design in industrial engineering: Integrating user needs, design decisions, and social impact assessment. Gazi University Journal of Science. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1501493
Boy, G. (2017). Human-centered design of complex systems: An experience-based approach. Design Science, 3. https://doi.org/10.1017/dsj.2017.8
Boy, G. (2019). Human systems integration: A mix of human-centered design, systems engineering, ergonomics, HCI and artificial intelligence.
Boy, G. (2020). Human-systems integration. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Possible. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429351686
Boy, G. (2021). Articulating human systems integration. Human–Computer Interaction Series. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76391-6_4
Boy, G. (2022). Aerospace human system integration evolution over the last 40 years. ArXiv.
Boy, G., & Narkevicius, J. (2013). Unifying human centered design and systems engineering for human systems integration. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02812-5_12
Carayon, P. (2006). Human factors of complex sociotechnical systems. Applied Ergonomics, 37(4), 525–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2006.04.011
Coelho, D. (2022). Sustainable design and management of industrial systems—A human factors perspective. Applied System Innovation. https://doi.org/10.3390/asi5050095
Eikevåg, S., Auernhammer, J., Elverum, C., Dybvik, H., & Steinert, M. (2024). Human-centred engineering design: A cross-disciplinary product innovation practice. Proceedings of the Design Society, 4, 255–264. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2024.28
Harte, R., Glynn, L., Rodríguez-Molinero, A., Baker, P., Scharf, T., Quinlan, L., & ÓLaighin, G. (2017). A human-centered design methodology to enhance the usability, human factors, and user experience of connected health systems: A three-phase methodology. JMIR Human Factors, 4. https://doi.org/10.2196/humanfactors.5443
Kadir, B., & Broberg, O. (2020). Human-centered design of work systems in the transition to Industry 4.0. Applied Ergonomics, 92, 103334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103334
Kędzior, K. (2023). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 29, 911–911. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2022.2156154
Samaras, G., & Horst, R. (2005). A systems engineering perspective on the human-centered design of health information systems. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 38(1), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2004.11.013
Sun, X., Houssin, R., Renaud, J., & Gardoni, M. (2018). A review of methodologies for integrating human factors and ergonomics in engineering design. International Journal of Production Research, 57, 4961–4976. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1492161
Trstenjak, M., Benešová, A., Opetuk, T., & Cajner, H. (2025). Human factors and ergonomics in Industry 5.0—A systematic literature review. Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042123
Watson, M., Rusnock, C., Colombi, J., & Miller, M. (2017). Human-centered design using system modeling language. Journal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making, 11, 252–269. https://doi.org/10.1177/1555343417705255
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Bramono Wangsa Wedono (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
