Eric Schaffer
Eric Schaffer | |
|---|---|
| Pen name | The Pragmatic Ergonomist |
| Occupation | Usability Guru |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | Stevens Institute Of Technology |
| Website | |
| humanfactors | |
Dr. Eric Schaffer is the founder and CEO of Human Factors International [1], Inc. (HFI). In the last quarter century, he has become known as the visionary who recognized that usability would be the driving force in the “Third Wave of the Information Age,” following both hardware and software as the previous key differentiators. Like Gordon Moore’s insight that processor power would double every 18 months, Dr. Schaffer foresaw that the most profound impact on corporate computing would be a positive online user experience— the ability for a user to get the job done efficiently, easily, and without frustration.
Dr. Schaffer is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and a Certified Professional Ergonomist.
Education / career edit
Dr. Schaffer received his MS in Applied Psychology / Human Performance from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1979, and his doctor of philosophy in Applied Psychology / Human Performance in 1986. Since then he has worked at several places and gathered valuable experience and expertise in the field. He worked for two years at AT & T Long Lines. He then spent four years as resident visitor at Bell labs in Whippany. For seven years he was co-owner and chief of technical staff at Human Performance Associates, Inc. and is currently the CEO of Human Factors International, Inc.
Contributions edit
Schaffer-Weinschenk Method™ edit
Dr. Schaffer co-developed the HFI’s Schaffer-Weinschenk Method™; this is the only ISO-certifiable process for user-centered design. This innovative process is built on principles from human-computer interaction, ergonomics, psychology, computer science, and marketing.
CUA edit
CUA [2] is Dr Eric’s first child. It was conceived and designed by Dr Eric and his team, and is now the world’s leading credential for usability practitioners. The CUA certification program provides to the professionals in the field the foundational tools for computer usability.
PET edit
In his PET [3] design Dr Eric has taken the user experience to the next level. He believes that while usability is still a fundamental requirement for effective website design, it is no longer enough. Where classical usability designs can help users navigate better and help make easier transactions, the new PET designs are more persuasive and more emotional.
Bibliography edit
In his book Institutionalization of Usability, A Step-by-Step Guide : Dr. Eric provides a roadmap for companies to follow in order to make usability a systematic, routine practice throughout their organization.