Optimizing Overall System Performance and Human Well-Being in High-Technology Manufacturing

There is an evident need for a deeper understanding of the complexities of sociotechnical systems (STSs) to maintain and enhance competitiveness in today’s technology- and business-driven manufacturing environments. In this chapter, we approach STSs from a systems engineering (SE) perspective by incorporating human factors (HFs), ergonomics, and risk management (RM) to optimize overall system performance and address human well-being and safety issues through manufacturing process modeling. We deploy data and information from a high-technology manufacturing corporation and its manufacturing processes. We highlight the interfaces between humans and the system in this context through visualized modeling. We examine how system design can adequately consider the human system’s capabilities, limitations, and work organization when interacting with the technical side. Thus, we combine SE principles and design-driven activities with human and technological factors. This allows us to discuss the creation of design-driven solutions that meet technical specifications and address HFs in improving overall system performance.