No abstract

No abstract

This paper describes work to develop a graphical user interface for an experimental ship control system which utilises mimics extensively in its displays. Lack of a systematic method for mimic design resulted in mimics being designed using the collective expertise of a human factors development team. A methodology for mimic design recently proposed by Javaux et al (1996) is evaluated retrospectively with reference to the experience gained designing mimics for the Ship Control Centre (SCC). The seven stages of this novel methodology are discussed in terms of their applicability to the SCC development work and limitations within this methodology are identified. Suggestions are made concerning the future development of a principled method for the design of mimics.

The Defence Evaluation & Research Agency (DERA) is investigating methods of function allocation for future military systems, which could be usefully applied within the Ministry of Defence procurement cycle. A drive for manpower reduction has highlighted the requirement for optimum allocation of tasks between human and machine and also between humans within teams. Over reliance on automation may have significant adverse consequences for the human operator, ranging from loss of situational awareness in the short term, to reduced job satisfaction in the longer term. This paper describes work that has been carried out to investigate the suitability of existing methods of function allocation for complex systems within the Naval domain. To address deficiencies which were identified, a new method of function allocation has been developed and is briefly described. This new method attempts to integrate the two previously disparate literatures concerning function allocation and job design, to ensure the optimal allocation of functions in future systems.

The development of a new UK Defence Standard for Human Factors Integration is described. This formed one element of an extensive updating of Human Factors Integration guidance within UK MOD. The Standard is to be used for contracts between UK MOD and industry suppliers for Human Factors Integration activities - integral to the development of new and existing military systems. The extant Standard, Defence Standard 00-250 (2008), was deficient in a number of ways and was not well aligned with the evolving internal HFI guidance for MOD personnel. The new Standard, Defence Standard 00-251 (2015), is primarily a process standard. It specifies, in the form of Human Factors Process Requirements, what HFI activities must be undertaken throughout the system lifecycle to manage the human related risks in the development of new systems across the seven HFI domains. It also includes a number of candidate Human Factors User and System Requirements which can be used to specify properties of the system itself. A collaborative approach to the development of the Standard ensured relatively few changes were required, following a period of public consultation, prior to the final version of the Standard being produced.