The HF/E Parade: A Tale of Two Models

Abstract

Chronic problems that plague the Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF/E) “parade” are examined in an attempt to identify causal factors, trends, and strategic options. Primary responsibility is attributed to our failure to resolve the fundamental question of what HF/E should be: a unique discipline or a philosophy shared by many established disciplines and emerging specialties. The implications of these two, largely incompatible models are explored retrospectively and prospectively. It is argued that our drift toward the unique discipline model has stunted our growth, limited our effectiveness, and clouded our prospects for the future; hence the shared discipline model should be given serious consideration in the current strategic planning review.