ISO/PRF 16710-2

International
Standard
ISO 16710-2
First edition
Ergonomics methods —
Part 2:
A methodology for work analysis to
support design
Ergonomie —
Partie 2: Méthodologie d'analyse du travail à l'appui de la
conception
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
ISO 16710-2:2025(en) © ISO 2025

ISO 16710-2:2025(en)
© ISO 2025
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Published in Switzerland
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ISO 16710-2:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General requirements in specifying the human components . 2
4.1 User experience and resultant activity .2
4.2 Limitations of the scientific and technical knowledge provided by existing ergonomics
standards .3
5 Fundamentals . 3
5.1 Participatory approach .3
5.2 Work analysis .4
6 Elements of methodology . 5
6.1 Analysis of overall work situation components .5
6.2 The “activity-focused work system” .6
6.3 Principles of work activity analysis . .7
6.3.1 General .7
6.3.2 Observation .7
6.3.3 Description .8
6.3.4 Interpretation .8
6.4 Knowledge validation process .9
7 The work activity in the design process .10
8 Recording the process and reporting the outcomes.11
8.1 Traceability .11
8.2 Assessment outcome and validation .11
8.3 Assessment report .11
9 Coherence with other standards .12
Annex A (informative) Example of requirements specification to be integrated into tender
submission for ergonomics design for work equipment .13
Annex B (informative) Some techniques used for work analysis in an ergonomic approach . 19
Annex C (informative) The approach and ergonomic analysis applied to design:Stages and
processes .28
Bibliography .31
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ISO 16710-2:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
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Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) (as EN 16710-2:2016)
and was adopted without modification other than those given below. It was assigned to Technical Committee
ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 1, General ergonomics principles, and adopted under the “fast-
track procedure”.
— Source documents for 3.2, 3.4, 3.6 have been updated to ISO 6385:2016.
A list of all parts in the ISO 16710 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO 16710-2:2025(en)
Introduction
The ergonomic design approach involves considering human capabilities, skills, limitations and needs. It is
developed on the basis of a decision process, which calls upon not only scientific and technical knowledge
data provided by existing standards but also expression of the “know-how” capitalised by the intended user
population. Know-how and other knowledge data provided by standards can only become meaningful when
based on preliminary analysis of real-work.
Ergonomics design focuses on the actual activity of operators. The methodology described in this document
therefore increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the machinery or system being designed; improves
human working conditions; and reduces adverse effects on health, safety and performance.
This methodology can lead to one or more suitable solutions embracing situations to be confronted by future
users. Applying this will raise productivity, improve work quality, reduce technical support, maintenance
and training needs, and will enhance user/operator satisfaction.
Application of this methodology will be most effective when management is closely involved (adoption,
communication, etc.).
Extensive ergonomics knowledge exists in relation to organizing and establishing an efficient design
process. Applying this knowledge, this present document structures a user-based approach and proposes
corresponding requirements for project managers. This approach complements existing design methods
and requires reference to ergonomists.
This process concerns both established, as described by ISO 12100, and emergent risks and their association
with the independent evolution of any system, user variability and conditions of equipment usage.
In this respect, the methodology for work analysis presented in this document is based on the resultant
design being at least partly determined by anticipated future developments, especially those indicated by
the client.
This is a shared procedure, in which the client provides specifications detailing the knowledge helpful to a
design suited to the needs and expectations of users. Examples of the contribution of an ergonomics design
approach to preparing specifications are included in informative Annex A.
Design based on an ergonomics process is necessary to meet any “performance obligation” (i.e. obligation of
result).
This document complements knowledge generated by work activity analysis to enhance the quality of
references and other solutions validated within a participative framework. This is indeed the case when
a compromise solution cannot be found in relation to a specific point because the underlying knowledge
cannot be validated. This document facilitates orientation towards a shared final decision.
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International Standard ISO 16710-2:2025(en)
Ergonomics methods —
Part 2:
A methodology for work analysis to support design
1 Scope
This document describes a procedure for analysing human activity in relation to specifying and refining the
human component in the design or redesign of machinery and work systems.
NOTE 1 The ergonomics methodology described in this document could also be applied to the design or redesign of
products and non-work systems.
This document is intended to assist project leaders in implementing human and physical resources, methods
and schedules as well as in preparing the documents necessary to meeting related requirements.
The ergonomics methodology described can be applied to all different stages in design projects from the
earliest concept to the final “prototype” or “mock-up”, whatever the industrial field or sector.
The objective of this standard is to achieve a solution that takes into account as many situations as possible
which all users - including operators, maintenance staff and installers, may encounter. This will ultimately
allow improved usability of the machinery and more robust technical solutions, combined with significantly
greater system resilience, user autonomy and accessibility.
NOTE 2 Examples of the application of the methodology described in this document are provided in Annex A.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
ergonomics
scientific dis
...