ABSTRACT

A true appreciation of the likely success of any piece of equipment can only be gained if the equipment is used for normal work in a real environment. Trials are a means of establishing whether workstation equipment is suitable. Trials can last a number of hours, several days, or even weeks. The trial manager should ensure that whatever work is performed during the trial, all of the attributes of the proposed workstation equipment should be used so that the equipment is properly tested and that the product use is typical of what would occur when not under trial conditions. The task analysis process enables individuals responsible for producing specifications for office equipment to generate an accurate list of requirements that will adequately accommodate the user’s needs. Questionnaires can be used to collect information relating to the use of the equipment and the users’ perception of that equipment.