Office Ergonomics Course

Creating the course objectives with the subject matter first allowed me to fine-tune the goals and focus on the content.

Once the objectives are created and agreed upon, I work through every piece of content to directly attribute it to an objective. The outline is built in this way to keep things focused, organized, and relevant to teammates.

Here are the objectives that steered the course:

• Apply the neutral/optimal posture to your workstation.
• Make adjustments to common workstation configurations for ergonomic comfort and productivity.
• Learn tips & strategies for your specific workstation comfort and ergonomics.
• Take micro-breaks and exercise breaks to help you throughout the workday.

Those objectives also formed the core structure of the course with four focused and simple modules.

After working with the subject matter expert (SME) to get approval of the course objectives, I worked through the content to pull out the most important information that could be applied to the objectives. Each item in the outline had to contribute to teammates meeting the course objectives.

• Module 1: Intro + neutral position
  • Introduce ergonomics in 100 words or less.
  • Optimal/neutral sitting position
  • Optimal/neutral standing position
  • What to avoid
• Module 2: Adjusting workstation (sitting & standing)
  • Optimal setup/avoiding reach, mouse/keyboard placement
  • Monitor placement/multiple monitor placement
  • Standing workstation tip
• Module 3: Improving specific workstation environments
  • Option to choose primary workstation environment: Office dedicated desk, office shared desk, remote/home office, hybrid office/home, mostly traveling (can revisit options for different options once they complete the first one).
  • Dedicated Office
    • Adjust and test.
    • Laptop stand to raise laptop
    • Keyboard trays for proper alignment with chair
  • Hybrid
    • Important to understand the adjustments available since they can get changed if not a dedicated desk.
    • Use all the tools available to make your work comfortable.
    • If no monitor is available, raise the laptop and use an external keyboard if available.
    • Use an external mouse if possible.
    • If no table but a chair, use a laptop bag to raise the laptop for typing.
  • Home
    • Set up your home work area as you would an ergonomic office.
    • Proper height helps achieve a neutral position.
    • Use a laptop docking station, external monitor, and external keyboard/mouse.
    • If dedicated space is not possible and no monitor: boost the laptop, use an external mouse/keyboard, or adjust position as best possible.
    • Can use an external monitor as the primary monitor, a laptop as a secondary.
    • Always strive for a neutral position or as close as possible.
  • Traveling
    • Treat as a hybrid office setup.
    • Get creative in hotel, coffee shop, airport, etc.
    • Use tables or counters. Place the laptop on bag or firm pillow to raise if it puts it closer to your eyebrows.
    • Laptop centered in front of the chair with a wireless mouse.
    • Use a pillow under you for a raise to get elbows at keyboard height.
• Module 4: Break Up Work
  • Take typing breaks.
  • Arm, hand, wrist, and upper arm stretches.
  • Take intermittent exercise/full-body breaks.
  • Improve your computer skills (keyboard shortcuts) to improve posture.
  • Use mouse shortcuts
• Closing
  • Additional resources/where to get help
  • Sum up course

The course outline isn't meant to be exhaustive, but it covers in more detail exactly what will go in the course. It prevents distractions, focuses the course goals, and helps the subject matter expert understand exactly what's in the course and what got cut from their content.

The original timeline was in stone, and it wasn't a rush. There are always a lot of moving parts during a course and sometimes with everyone's schedule, timing can be difficult. The original timeline called for about two and a half months including legal reviewed. The entire build ended up taking longer due to issues out of my control. Sometimes content is more difficult for the subject matter expert to gather together than anticipated.

By separating each step into a business partner review process, rework and surprises are illuminated. That means no project I create goes too far without it being reviewed nearly eliminating the chance business partners won't be happy and require major rework (it just doesn't happen).

Before moving into the full development process, I put together a brought storyboard consisting of two columns. On the left is a description of what's on-screen, any rough imagery I might already have, and any description of buttons or what happens on screen. The right side has the narration.

Working for a medical company requires everything to be reviewed, even an office ergonomics course. This was no different and the storyboard is the perfect opportunity to have content reviewed. That means I can send it off for review and move on to development and change anything required if the review requires any changes.