CVEN4405 Application of Human Factors in Civil Engineering Group Assignment 2025/26 | UNSW Sydney

Academic Year	2025/26

CVEN4405 Assignment

Application of Human Factors in Civil Engineering Group Assignment Summary (30%) This individual assessment invites you to explore the application of Human Factors (HF) in a chosen area of Civil Engineering. Through structured analysis, you will demonstrate how HF principles can be embedded into engineering design, decision-making, or systems to improve safety, usability, efficiency, or sustainability.

Assignment Task

Choose one specific area within Civil Engineering (e.g. transportation, construction, geotechnical, structural, water resources, infrastructure systems) and examine how Human Factors concepts can enhance performance or reduce risks.

You must address four parts in your report:

Part 1: Scoping the Problem (~2 pages)

Clearly define the engineering challenge or risk area that could benefit from the integration of HF principles.
Introduce the system, environment, or context.
Describe the current gaps, inefficiencies, risks, or user challenges.
Justify why a Human Factors approach is relevant and valuable in this context.

Part 2: Applying Human Factors Principles (~3 pages)

Apply Human Factors theories or principles.
Describe the applicable HF concepts or models.
Analyse how these concepts explain or illuminate aspects of the problem.
Use diagrams, simulations, or examples to support your explanation.

Part 3: Developing Interventions and Evidence Base (~4 pages)

Propose realistic, evidence-based interventions informed by Human Factors.
Describe the intervention(s): design, policy, behavioural, or training-based. – Support with academic literature or case studies. – Evaluate expected impacts: safety, usability, efficiency, etc.
Discuss feasibility and potential implementation barriers.

Part 4: Conclusion & Recommendations (~1 page)

Summarise the value of HF in your chosen civil engineering area.
Provide key recommendations.
Reflect briefly on broader implications for practice or future design. Submission Requirements
Word document or PDF
Professional formatting with appropriate headings
Include graphs/figures if applicable
Use APA or IEEE referencing style
Submit via Moodle before deadline
Pages: No more than 10 pages (excluding references)
Due Date: Week 8, deadline outlined in course profile

CVEN4405 Marking Rubric for Group Assignment (30%)

Criteria	High Distinction (85-100%)	Credit (65-74%)	Fail (0-49%)
Problem Scope & Justification	Clearly defined, complex, real-world issue; excellent justification of HF relevance	Reasonably defined problem; good justification	Vague or irrelevant problem; no clear justification
Application of HF Concepts	Sophisticated application of multiple HF principles; excellent theoretical depth	Adequate application; some theoretical integration	Poor or incorrect use of HF principles
Interventions & Evidence Base	Innovative and feasible solutions; strongly evidence-based and well-explained	Practical solutions; some evidence from literature	No clear interventions or evidence
Conclusion & Recommendations	Strong synthesis; clear, insightful and well-grounded recommendations	Adequate synthesis; reasonable recommendations	No real synthesis or value-added recommendations

Individual Assignment Self-Reflection (10%)

Reflect and critique your group project in not more than two pages. Discuss your contribution to the project from Human Factors in engineering.

Submission Requirements

Word document or PDF
Professional formatting with appropriate headings
Use APA or IEEE referencing style
Submit via Moodle before deadline
Pages: No more than 2 pages (excluding references)
Due Date: Week 10, deadline outlined in course profile

Criteria	High Distinction (85–100%)	Credit (65–74%)	Pass (50–64%)	Fail (0–49%)
Depth of Reflection	Offers a thoughtful and insightful analysis of the project and personal role	Some reflective insight; identifies key contributions	Basic reflection; limited depth or critical analysis	Lacks reflection on contribution or learning
Human Factors Concepts	Strong and explicit connection to HF principles/project	General links with some evidence of applying HF concepts	Mentions HF concepts but with weak explanation	No clear reference to Human Factors concepts
Personal Contribution	Clearly articulates specific, meaningful contributions to group outcomes	Describes individual role with some clarity and relevance	Contribution described in vague or generic terms	No clear explanation of personal role
Critical Thinking	Demonstrates awareness of strengths, limitations, and team dynamics	Some recognition of challenges and group processes	Limited assessment or only positive/negative comments without analysis	No critique or self-awareness; lacks analysis
Structure & Presentation	Logically structured, professionally presented, well-written, within page limit	Clear structure and generally well-written	Minor issues in flow or formatting	Poorly written or structured; major issues in clarity