Improving Product Usability Through Design

Usability is crucial for product adoption and customer satisfaction, but is often an afterthought. Design for Usability (DFU) aims to prioritize usability across the product lifecycle.

DFX, or Design for X, refers to a systematic approach to designing products and processes to achieve specific objectives or characteristics. The "X" represents various targets like manufacturability, reliability, usability, etc. DFX helps companies optimize their products across the entire product lifecycle.

DFX represents a holistic approach to product development that optimizes the design against multiple objectives. At Boston Engineering, DFX is a core part of our product development process. We focus on several key DFX areas that align with our expertise:

• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Design for Cost (DFC)
• Design for Testability (DFT)
• Design for Reliability (DFR)
• Design for Serviceability/Maintainability (DFS)
• Design for Usability (DFU)
• Design for Modularity (DFMo)

Learn more about Design for X (DFX) at Boston engineering: Boston Engineering Design for X

DFU focuses on optimizing how users interact with products. 

Key DFR principles include:

• Understand user needs, workflows, and environments early via human factors analysis
• Prototype user interfaces for evaluation by representative users
• Apply ergonomic and human factors standards appropriate to the product
• Iterate designs based on usability feedback to improve experience
• Conduct usability testing with final products to validate designs

Example Projects:

• Redesigning a medical device user interface based on clinician feedback, improving device programmability by 75%
• Developing a customized mobile app for field personnel to streamline equipment troubleshooting

Where Problems Arise

Insufficient DFU often results in:

• User frustration and negative reviews due to poor usability
• Workflows inefficient or error-prone due to counterintuitive UIs
• Difficulty using products in operational environments
• Missed market opportunities from not matching user needs

Involving DFR experts early in design to prevent these issues.

DFs experts like Boston Engineering provide:

• Skills in user research, surveys, testing, and other UX methods
• Know-how to interpret human factors standards for your product type
• Tools to quantify and assess interfaces against usability metrics
• Insights to balance usability, functionality, reliability, and cost
• Guidance to promote DFU principles across your organization

 Understanding the Importance of a DFX approach

Applying Design for X (DFX) methodologies upfront in product development optimizes the entire lifecycle by improving manufacturability, testability, reliability, usability, and other critical characteristics. This avoids costly redesigns later on, facilitates high-quality products that satisfy customers, reduces manufacturing and service costs, and supports flexibility through modularity and platforms. The holistic perspective of DFX drives efficient, cost-effective delivery of successful products that provide competitive advantage. Investing in DFX early pays dividends across the entire product lifespan.

Do you offer training on DFX for engineering teams?

Education is critical to effectively implement DFX principles. We provide training tailored to your engineers’ roles and product lines. This includes overall DFX methodology, deep dives into specific disciplines like design for reliability or manufacturability, and practical application workshops. Our hands-on approach combines real-world examples and case studies with tutorials on leading DFX software tools. The goal is building organizational DFX expertise and establishing repeatable processes that endure beyond individual projects. Investing in DFX knowledge pays dividends across your entire product portfolio.

Ready to Begin your next DFX Project? 

Impossible Challenge? Try Us. 

Selecting a partner to help you complete your design project is a valuable option to reduce project duration and save money.    

The Boston Engineering product development system encompasses DFX to ensure a smooth product launch and success in the marketplace.  Boston Engineering has DFX knowledge and experience to address aspects and values of a product such as manufacturability, test, reliability, safety, serviceability, cost, and compliance with industry standards and government regulations.