Beardsell and Son Ltd had a breakthrough moment when they were selected for the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) Phase 3 project, based on the "Take Cover!" competition. However, they needed a partner who could provide expert guidance on Human Factors (HF) issues and they approached K Sharp to support the project.
During the project, K Sharp worked closely with Beardsell and Son Ltd to identify HF issues that needed attention in that phase of the project. They also prepared documentation that would act as a foundation for future HF and Human Factors Integration (HFI) activities required as part of DEF STAN 00-251 and JSP 536.
Some of the key activities undertaken by K Sharp was the support of usability trials as well as penetration and blast trials. Through these trials, K Sharp delivered ongoing usability analysis, which enabled human issues to be considered throughout the early development of the innovation. This approach ensured that human factors were given the appropriate attention throughout the project, and this, in turn, made it possible to deliver an innovation that addressed the needs and expectations of the end-users.
By partnering with K Sharp, Beardsell and Son Ltd was able to leverage their expertise in human factors, and this helped them to identify and address any human issues in the development of the innovation. K Sharp's ongoing support during the project ensured that Beardsell and Son Ltd was able to produce a product that was user-friendly, easy to use, and met the needs of the end-users.
