Human Factor Engineering
Jinfo Blog

By Robin Neidorf

Abstract

Does it seem we spend at least as much time addressing the human side of information work as the technology side? Robin Neidorf guesses that FreePint coverage might well be divided in half between these two sides of the profession. A recent FreePint Report collects an even dozen articles to support changes in habit. Product reviews, as always, offer a quick view into the latest (and sometimes greatest) combinations of content and technology.

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The tools we use get more sophisticated almost by the day. But our human brains -- and behaviours -- still work in the same old ways.

If I were to guesstimate the amount of FreePint content dedicated to technology tools versus human habits and how each affects the value of information work, I bet it would be about half and half. I would bet we spend at least as much time:

• trying to build awareness
• breaking bad habits
• getting over political infighting and turf wars
• and encouraging the actions we want colleagues to take

as we spend on discovering and exploring the latest developments in our fast-moving industry.

No wonder so many information professionals feel overworked and under-appreciated. It's hard work being a cheerleader, coach, trainer and therapist while also doing a full time job!

I'm brought to these musings by one of our recent FreePint Reports, on Adoption in the Organisation. Guest editor Melanie Brown assembled no fewer than a dozen FreePint Articles to support information champions in moving their colleagues and organisations further along the continuum towards best practices in interacting with information. When I first did an editorial review of the report, I was concerned about its length; most of our Information Practice Reports are about half the size. But as I read through Melanie's selections and reviewed again her introduction, all of the pieces seemed essential. If your organisation challenges your patience with out-of-date practices and policies, consider the wisdom in these pages about social media, mobile deployment, imagining the future of information work and more.

There's plenty to find fascinating as well as frustrating in human behaviour. Penny Crossland added a new article just this week based on a talk she heard at a TFPL Connect event about knowing which sources to trust and why (login required) -- another "evergreen" theme in FreePint coverage. I picked up the theme myself based on remarkable case studies provided for my review by BBC Monitoring Online, demonstrating how savvy media analysts can identify potential falsifications in video and photographs. 

And right alongside all that human activity are the latest, shiniest tools to be discovered too: Recent product reviews range from relatively simple design serving up hard-to-get information in PI's Private Company Data product (reviewed by Dale Moore), to complex workflow software embedding job-specific information for PR professionals in CisionPoint (reviewed by Connie Crosby).

Break a habit of your own. If you haven't yet suggested a topic of interest for FreePint in 2013, or perhaps offered up your own Favourite Tipples in awhile, drop us a line through the website. I don't think I'll ever break the habit of enjoying hearing from readers around the world.

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