Automated assistance for human factors analysis in complex systems

Abstract

A tool and a method for scenario-based workload assessment and performance validation in complex socio-technical systems design, such as command and control rooms of military vessels, are described. We assess workload in terms of communication and the task load that each agent is able to handle. The method employs subjective task and communication estimates used to calculate the workload of human operators, using static and scenario-based analyses. This enables the identification of bottlenecks to be addressed by the designer with the appropriate allocation of function between humans and smart technology. This task is supported by the functional allocation adviser tool. A case study demonstrating the use of the tool for the design of the command and control room of a military vessel is presented.

Keywords:

• Socio-technical systems design
• Human performance
• Workload assessment
• Functional allocation

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the EPSRC systems integration programme project Systems Integration for Major Projects (SIMP) (partners UMIST, QMW, and City University; coordinator BAE Systems). We thank Leroy Osbourne, BAE Systems, for his help with the scenarios and the reviewers for their help in improving this paper.