Extending System Design Tools to Facilitate Systemic Innovation in Prospective Ergonomics

Abstract

Through an extensive literature review, this article aims to promote systemic innovation, which is presently too much influenced by context and too limited by rationality. As such, the article argues for the use of systems design methods and tools for anticipating future needs in the development of innovative products and services. Building upon theoretical concepts, such as “Bounded Rationality”, “Situated Design” and “Practice Theory”, systems design methods and tools, such as the Function-Task Interaction Matrix Method and Dependence Structure Matrix, should be made more comprehensive by extending technical and user elements with contextual elements. These matrices help to identify problem fields as well as opportunities by juxtaposing and force-fitting technical, user, and contextual elements. Conclusively, the application of extended system design tools, such as EDSM define and FTCIM define, represents and incorporates design information. It also demonstrates how scenario-based methods can be effective in identifying innovative products, services and contexts.