Wagging the Tail with the Dog: Organizational Design Considerations in Ergonomics

A macroergonomics approach to system design, focused around establishing the design of the system's organizational structure before proceeding with the microergonomic design of jobs, work groups, and human-machine interfaces is proposed. The major dimensions and generalizable models of organizational structure are reviewed. Key measurable variables that can be evaluated by human factors specialists as part of the systems analysis/preliminary systems design process and utilized to determine optimal macroergonomic design are reviewed. Empirical results of the effects of these key variables on organizational design are summarized.