Previous entry: "27-July-2001 -- Gone in a Flash: Why E-Com firms are in flat line mode" WebWord Home Page Next entry: "27-July-2001 -- Ruggedized gadgets"

07/27/2001 Archived Entry: "27-July-2001 -- Professional usability engineering"

Professional usability engineering -- "There are many professional organizations and special interest groups that represent or cover usability engineering. However, many of these organizations do not have any formal review and guidelines for membership. For example, the Usability Professionals' Association (UPA) has virtually no qualification requirements. Even though some firms listed on the UPA site have proper credentials, many do not. On the other hand, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society has a rigorous set of standards and qualifications for membership." (Comments: Very interesting comment! Also realize that not being part of an organization does not mean that a person is not qualified. In other words, there are people that are qualified to join, but have decided not to for one reason or another.)

Replies: 1 comment

Again remember the source of this article: a usability consulting firm pushing its own services.

You might read it as "don't hire them, hire us" or at least that's how I see the following:

"When obtaining usability engineering expertise from either a headhunter or a placement firm, it is absolutely essential that each candidate have a formal degree in human factors or ergonomics. "

While I do have a degree in cognitive psychology focused on HCI and usability, I'm far from narrow-minded enough to think a degree is required for good work.

While I agree that we need to ensure professional standards and conduct across user experience disciplines, a degree guarantees neither.

Far more informative is track record and references from past engagements...

Posted by Jess @ 07/29/2001 08:52 PM EST

Subscribe to Webword.com
Receive the best free usability newsletter on the Internet.

URL: http://www.WebWord.com/weblog/