Question

Find as much information as you can on ISO standards that relate to usability. (Hint: many standards are discussed in terms of ergonomics). How many different standards and draft standards can you find?

Answer 1

In the dusty institutions where usability standards gather to party with each other, ISO 9241 is a bit of a celebrity. It is widely cited by people who would be hard pushed to name any other standard, and parts of it are virtually enshrined in law in some European countries (such as the UK). But as is the fate of many celebrities, all most usability professionals know about the standard is its name: “Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs)”. Ah, VDTs: as evocative of the eighties as yuppies and punk rock music. This makes the standard seem out of date, but don’t be fooled. ISO have renamed it: as the parts are re-issued they will adopt the much sexier title, “Ergonomics of Human System Interaction”.