ABSTRACT
The preliminary assessment of a problem to understand the key areas where attention should be focussed is a frequent activity for the practicing ergonomist. It is not satisfactory, at least for the client, to state a view based solely on a judgement unless, of course, the problem is clear and can be adduced from the visible evidence when demonstrated to the client by the ergonomist. More usually both ergonomist and client are more confident if some measured data can be given that can identify the dimensions of the problem, and show how the attack on the problem will counteract the effects arising from the causes identified by that evidence.
