Human FactorsAn Overview

Dr. Beth LyallResearch Integrations, Inc.

Multiple Disciplines

• Psychology• Engineering• Biomechanics• Exercise Science• Cognitive Science• Sociology

Terminology• Human factors• Ergonomics• Cognitive engineering• Cognitive science• Engineering psychology• Human performance

engineering• Human engineering

• Aviation psychology• Usability• User centered• Human centered• Systems Engineering• Cognitive Psychology• User experience design• Interaction design

Focus of Human Factors• Understanding and affecting the functioning or

operation of a system that includes humans– Quality of system performance– Productivity– Safety

• “system” must be defined• National airspace system• Terminal area• Airport• Airplane• Flight deck

• Measures of system performance are needed

Environment

System

Environment

Technologies and

equipment

tasks and procedures

humans

Understand qualities and characteristics

Affect design and capabilities

Consider interdependencies

Environment

Technologies and

equipment

tasks and procedures

humans

Time pressure

Workload

Stressors

Technologies and

equipment

tasks and procedures

humans

Intended function

Interface - controls - displays- system logic

Technologies and

equipment

tasks and procedures

humans

Availability

Understandability

Compatibility

Technologies and

equipment

tasks and procedures

humans

Capabilities and limitations- anthropometrics - perception- memory- attention- strength

Training and experience- knowledge- psychomotor skills- perceptual skills- cognitive skills

Skills Examples

• Manual handling– Psychomotor skill

• Use of automated systems– Cognitive skill

• Problem identification– Perceptual skill

• The type of skills being developed affects the type and amount of practice required

Measurement

• Have to be able to define and measure the important elements of the system

• Accomplishment of intended function• Reliability• Accomplishment of tasks• Speed • Accuracy

CRM History

• NASA 1979 workshop “Resource management in the flight deck”– Focused on prevalence of human error in

accidents– Developed “cockpit resource management”

training ideas• Interpersonal communications• Decision making• Leadership

humans

• Crew concept approach• Line oriented approach• Training topics have expanded and

varied• Both knowledge and skills– CRM vs technical skills

• Threat and error management

Example of human factors approach: Fatigue

• Understanding of how fatigue affects human performance

• Understanding about elements of technology design that can result in fatigue

• Understanding about how environment characteristics can result in fatigue

• Understanding about how task and procedures design can result in fatigue

• Training for knowledge of fatigue countermeasures and skill in applying them

Environment

Technologies and

equipment

tasks and procedures

humans

Effective human factors work knows the system elements of focus

And understands the other elements and their interdependencies