John A. Wise

Basic Considerations in Verification and Validation

Verification and validation of systems is becoming extremely important in the process of developing the devices we use in modern life. Rapid advances in technology and software have provided the capability to develop very complex systems with highly coupled components (i.e., components that are highly interdependent). Such systems can significantly increase efficiency and allow the development and operation of systems that were previously impossible. Perrow (1984), however, argues that complex systems that are also highly-coupled are inherently unstable and are susceptible to system induced catastrophes.

A Modest Proposal for Future Systems

Mitroff (e.g., Mitroff, 1971; Mitroff & Beltz, 1972) and others have argued quite persuasively that when trying to predict an uncertain future20 one of the most effective techniques is the dialectic argument. In the dialectic approach, proponents of the two most extreme views on an issue argue the strenghts of their position and the weaknesses of the other. As a result, the strengths and weaknesses of each will be identified, and a third point-of-view, hopefully including the strengths of each and the weaknesses of neither, will be created by the observer.

A non-traditional approach to understanding total system performance of avionics systems

Everyday pilots are faced with a vast array of challenges and obstacles, which may interfere with their ability to perform optimally in the cockpit. Often times these obstacles may be related to outside forces such as poor weather or mechanical problems or an onslaught of data from a variety of sources aloft, afloat, and on land. However, it is also possible these obstacles may have been created by the pilots themselves. A pilots own personality may conflict with those around them, or worse yet, their personality may generate poor decisionmaking skills, which can lead to errors and ultimately disaster. If we were to design, for example, an automated aviation assistant, a synthetic crew member, a computerized co-pilot, for the next generation of avionics, what personality characteristics should we give it? We know that personality effects behavior and as a result affects how we see problems and subsequently, solve them. This paper considers how an avionics system with selected personality characteristics could be designed to both improve a mission performance.

E-Commerce: The virtual battlefield

It seems reasonable that one would want to use intelligent agents with different ways of behaving to perform different tasks in e-commerce. This paper considers how intelligent agents might behave in e-commerce environments, if their behaviors were modeled after different human “personality characteristics.” In particular, an e-commerce agent based on Machiavelli’s principals is discussed and compared to one with anti-machiavellian behaviors.

Cognitive Engineering in the Aviation Domain Edited by Nadine B. Sarter & René Amalberti 2000, 363 pages,

EDITEDBY two professionals closely associated with cognitive engineering, Cognitive Engineering in the Aviation Domain contains four chapters on the theoretical underpinnings of cognitive engineering and eight chapters describing applications in the aviation domain. Coverage of theory and applications is accurate and up-to-date. Chapter authors are recognized experts in their respective areas. The theoretical chapters can be challenging, and to fully appreciate the concepts presented, the reader needs a reasonable amount of background knowledge (i.e., graduate or advanced undergraduate level). The chapters addressing aviation applications require varying amounts of background. A few are very straightforward; others need a little more time and knowledge to appreciate. Although the main emphasis of the text is on aviation, Cognitive Engineering in the Aviation Domain illustrates well how the human factors/ergonomics profession has adapted to new problems posed by the products of a rapidly evolving information age for example, personal computers, the Web, aviation, and nuclear power. The scope of discussion across the chapters makes this text valuable to human factors professionals by providing a historical perspective of the evolution of the field and by keeping us updated on important paradigms. The only identifiable shortcoming is the difference in writing styles across the chapters. The transition from one to the other makes for awkward reading. Nevertheless, I recommend this book for relevant graduate classes, though not for undergraduate. It might also be helpful to the members of regulating agencies and accident investigation teams.

39.95 (paperback) Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates ISBN 0-8058-2316-6

One of the goals of the Institute was to help the participants to question their assumptions about air traffic control (also see Hopkin, 1991). Assumptions are critical to all decision making and problem solving because they have a hidden, yet dramatic, impact on conclusions. Assumptions determine which data are accepted or rejected as relevant to the decision process. They determine the rules that will be used to process the accepted data. They determine the relative weight each datum gets. Thus, assumptions, hidden as they may be, directly impact whether a solution is accepted or rejected.