bruksegenskaper

Bruksegenskaper (Norwegian/Swedish: literally "use properties") denotes the characteristics of a product, material, building or system that determine how it performs in practical use. The term covers functional attributes such as durability, ease of maintenance, safety, ergonomics, accessibility and perceived usability. Bruksegenskaper focus on outcomes experienced by users and operators rather than only on technical specifications.

As a concept it is applied across disciplines including construction and building materials, consumer goods, industrial components, software and public services. In building and construction, bruksegenskaper may refer to indoor climate, acoustic performance, fire safety and ease of cleaning. In product design they include affordances, intuitive controls and resilience to wear. In software contexts the term overlaps with usability and user experience.

Assessment of bruksegenskaper combines objective tests (mechanical testing, lifecycle assessment, performance metrics) and subjective evaluation (user surveys, usability testing). Standards, building codes and certification schemes often incorporate requirements related to bruksegenskaper to ensure safety, accessibility and minimum performance in intended use conditions.

Emphasis on bruksegenskaper supports design for real-world conditions, accessibility, sustainability and long-term value. It complements technical specifications by centring the user perspective in evaluation and regulation, and is used by designers, engineers, policymakers and consumer advocates to balance functional performance with human needs.