Clifford C. Baker

Update of Dod-Hdbk-761: ‘Human Engineering Guidelines for Management Information Systems’

DoD-HDBK-761 “Human Engineering Guidelines for Management Information Systems” was extensively updated and revised to reflect 1) significant changes in computing technology, including user interface techniques and display technology, and 2) recent user computer interface (UCI) design literature. The document was updated based on literature reviews, mail-out surveys of UCI designers and users, and interactive computer interviews (using question and answer dialog). The updated document contains two main sections. The first presents a general process for conducting UCI analysis, design, development, and evaluation activities. These activities include; conduct of system functions analysis, function allocation, user task analysis, user surveys, use of UCI prototypes, and product testing. The second section contains over 1000 human engineering guideline statements which can be applied to the detailed design of UCIs. The guideline section addresses dialog design, computer control, data entry and display, job performance aiding, expert systems interface design, and data communication and protection. This paper discusses the content and organization of the document.

Human Systems Integration (HSI) in Navy Ship Manpower Reduction

The HSI approach to ship and ship system design for manning reduction is based on the standard human factors front-end analysis to identify functions and requirements, allocate functions to determine the role of the human vs. automation, identify approaches to reduce workload, and conduct task network workload simulation to establish the effectiveness of selected workload reduction techniques. The classes of workload reduction are focused on design requirements associated with automation of functions, consolidation of functions, simplification of function performance, and elimination of functions. Function Automation addresses the automation of functions previously performed manually and the determination of the roles of the human in automated or semi-automated functions. Function Consolidation requires a reassignment of functions among available operators to more evenly redistribute required workload. Function simplification requires that, for high driver functions and tasks assigned to a specific operator or maintainer, the demands that these functions and tasks make must be reduced to the greatest extent possible. Function/task demands include physical, cognitive, and perceptual-motor demands. Function Elimination involves removing a function from the ship through tele-operations or tele-maintenance with shoreside equipment tech-reps or maintenance experts, and reliance on collaboration tools to support dispersed team problem solving, or elimination of a function altogether.

Manpower, Personnel, Training and Safety (MPTS) Simulation Tools: Network and Simulation for Workload Assessment and Modeling (SIMWAM)

MANPRINT simulations in the early stages of weapon system acquisition involve modeling of functional and task sequences for individual operators/maintainers and for crews. The models identify function and task sequences associated with alternate function allocation approaches and design concepts. One tool developed for the task modeling activity is NETWORK™, a graphic task sequencing tool which establishes the predecessor relationships among tasks and supports the identification of the complete set of tasks. In the assessment of the adequacy of alternate function allocation strategies of roles-of-man vs automation, task sequences are modeled to reflect the distinguishing characteristics of each allocation approach. The allocation concepts and/or design concepts are then evaluated through the use of SIMWAM™ (Simulation for Workload Assessment and Modeling) workload assessment modeling procedure. With SIMWAM the workloads and performance problems for each alternate allocation approach can be determined, and multi-operator workloads can be quantified. During a SIMWAM run, tasks are called when prior tasks are completed. If sufficient operators are available for a called task, then it will be started. Input data which describe a task include a list of qualified operators and the number of these required to perform the task. In attempting to start a task, SIMWAM will assign qualified operators who are currently idle. SIMWAM can also interrupt lower priority tasks in process to obtain operators for higher priority tasks. This paper describes the NETWORK and SIMWAM tools and presents reports of the results of specific applications of the the two tools.

Application of Human Engineering to a Shipboard Damage Control Console

An effort was undertaken to provide human engineering inputs to the design of the man-machine interface for the Damage Control Center (DCC) console of the DDG 51 Flight 11. Casualty management is most critical in the first moments after damage is sustained to a Navy vessel. If a prompt and efficient first response to a damage control event is not initiated, the magnitude of the damage incurred can be increased radically. The effort to identify human engineering requirements and console improvements was performed as part of the re-evaluation and redesign of one of the principle interfaces in DCC of the DDG-51 Flight I1 Class, the DC console. The main constraint imposed on the project was that the configuration of the console itself (footprint, dimensions, etc.) not be changed. This paper presents the results of the DC console human engineering design concept development.

Task-Operator Study for the Primary Flight Control Center of Tarawa Class (LHA) Ships

This report presents the findings of a Task-Operator study for the Primary Flight Control (Pri-Fly) major operating stations aboard Tarawa class (LHA) ships. The LHA carries a variety of attack and cargo helicopters, plus AV-8A Sea Harrier jet aircraft. Pri-Fly is the area of the ship which controls the landing and recovery of aircraft, as well as flight control when aircraft are in the immediate vicinity of the ship. Two main positions were examined by this study, the Air Administrator (Air-Boss) and the Assistant Air Administrator (Mini-Boss). The purposes of this study were to perform a task-operator study of Pri-Fly personnel task requirements, to identify human-equipment interface design problems given the existing configuration of Pri-Fly within LHAs, and to provide general design recommendations based on the findings of the study. Seven tasks were undertaken to meet the objectives of the project. Overall, the review identified numerous human engineering design problems in Pri-Fly, many of which severely limit the performance of Pri-Fly personnel. Based on this review, it is asserted that significant improvement can be realized, in terms of air operations safety and efficiency, by instituting a Pri-Fly improvement program.

Human Engineering in the Naval Sea Systems Command

This paper describes the status of human engineering in the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). NAVSEA has pursued four major thrusts in the development and application of human engineering technology: 1) human engineering research and development efforts, 2) human engineering front-end analysis, 3) human engineering audits as part of the Logistic Review Group (LRG) formal review of each program, and 4) ship and ship system human engineering design and evaluation. This paper describes the progress that NAVSEA has made in each area.

Determination of Program Initiation Phase Manprint Requirements for the Lighter, Amphibious Heavy-Lift (Lamp-H)

The objective of this paper is to describe the approach utilized in the development of MANPRINT requirements for the Lighter, Amphibious — Heavy Lift (LAMP-H). LAMP-H is an air cushioned vehicle with a crew of six: a pilot, a navigator, and four stevedores who load and unload equipment from the vessel. The project was initiated during the program initiation phase of development. Several types of Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) lighter craft were evaluated as baseline comparison systems for LAMP-H. The effort involved insuring compliance with human engineering design criteria and practice, incorporating lessons learned from analogous air-cushioned vehicles lighter craft, and addressing habitability, noise and other design issues affecting crew performance of tasks critical to the operation and maintenance of the LAMP-H. This paper details the analyses and techniques implemented in the early phases of the weapon system acquisition process for designing improved soldier-machine systems, as well as the products of the effort.

Human Factors for Naval Systems: Enhanced Hardman

The U.S. Navy is developing methods for integrating the disciplines concerned with personnel considerations into the weapon system acquisition process. This integration essentially involves human factors engineering, manpower, personnel and training, and life support engineering. Since the Navy already has the HARDMAN methodology in place to ensure that manpower, personnel and training concerns are addressed early in system development, the process of integration of personnel issues will involve expanding the HARDMAN methods and data to include human factors engineering and life support engineering, resulting in the Enhanced HARDMAN process. This paper describes the objectives of Enhanced HARDMAN.