Lab10-cct333


 * Write three paragraphs to define the term 'ergonomics'. (3 paragraphs)**

Ergonomics is concerned with the study of how humans interact with objects and systems in order to create designs that fit within the restrictions of the human body and cognition. The idea is to design objects and systems which provide comfort and reduce stress by taking into consideration the users capabilities and limitations. When designing ergonomically, the designer must take into consideration the activity (job) and the demands it places on the user. For example, Frank Gilbreth observed that bricklayers had to constantly bend over to pick up bricks, placing unnecessary strain on their lower backs. He re-designed the process so that bricks are placed on shelves pinned to the scaffold at a height that did not require bending over. In doing so, the bricklayers productivity and health improved.

Ergonomically designed objects allow people to control their own environment which makes them feel respected and ultimately increases their productivity. The YouTube video “Human Scale Ergonomics” contrasts between non ergonomic and ergonomic design within an office space context. The video took into consideration comfort and simplicity, incorrect height and depth, task lighting, freedom of movement, prolonged laptop use and usable desk space. In each issue, the user of the ergonomic designs was able to manipulate their environment such as adjusting their chair and monitor to the proper height and angle, as well position their lamp to provide light in the right area. The user of the non ergonomic office space was stressed out and seemed unproductive, while the user of the ergonomic space looked at ease and was getting the job done well.

A well designed ergonomic object has taken into consideration the extremes. This is particularly important because if the extremes are ignored, this would be the area the design would not fit. If the extremes are covered, than the average users will also fit into the design. For example, when designing an ergonomic office space, if the smallest and largest sizes of users are considered in terms of being able to adjust things like the chair and monitor to their height, the average sized people would automatically be covered.


 * What is the 'Gilbreth system of motion analysis' (1 paragraph)**

The Gilbreth system of motion analysis is the process of improving manual productivity by observing and evaluating time and motion. Through in context observation, inefficiencies in the way of doing things can be spotted and improved upon. Gilberth observed that bricklayers where inefficient in their process through redundant stopping, walking and reaching. Through this observation, Gilberth was able to improve the process by modifying the scaffolding so the bricklayers could stand naturally and eliminated the need to bend over to pick up materials. His improvements, in the reduction of the amount of necessary movements made the bricklayers significantly more productive. He was able to reduce the amount of motions to lay a brick from 18 to 5. The idea of motion analysis is observing the amount of motions being done by a current 'way of doing things' and trying to reduce them by taking ergonomic factors into consideration.


 * Who was Henry Ford influenced by the efficiency expert, Frederick Taylor? (2 paragraphs)**

Frederick Taylor is the father of 'Scientific Management' and was primarily interested in improving industrial efficiency. He came up with a production system which fragments a production process into individual repetitive tasks. This allowed workers to be trained on only one specific task and did not need to be aware of the entire process. Such fragmentation made it easier to train and replace workers as little to no skill is required for a single task. Taylor. This system improved efficiency by reducing waste and standardizing processes.

Ford was influenced by Taylor and applied his methods to auto manufacturing. However, he took it as step further by introducing the assembly line. Workers no longer had to move around, instead the objects they were working on would come by on a line. The worker would perform one fragmented task on each individual piece that came by on the assembly line. The combination of Taylors ideas along with Fords assembly line is known as 'Fordism'.


 * What are the four basic principles of McDonaldization? (List of 4)**


 * 1) **Efficiency -** "Look for the best route for whatever goal you have in mind"
 * 2) **Predictability** - "Things are the same from one place or time to another"
 * 3) **Calculability** - "Emphasis on quantity rather than quality"
 * 4) **Non-human technology** - "Taking skill away from people and building it into technologies"
 * text in quotes transcribed from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdy1AgO6Fp4