Measure of effectiveness (MOE) taxonomy for assessing human performance in aeronautical systems

Abstract

Air Force (AF) Major Command (MAJCOM) decision-makers often have difficulty understanding the extent to which investment in Manpower, Personnel, and Training (MPT) or Human Performance Research and Development (R&D) can improve war-fighting capability. This could be because MPT R&D findings have not usually related directly to war-fighting Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs). The utility of MPT and Human Factors R&D research could be demonstrated more effectively if their relationship to combat capability was made evident through focusing on accepted MOEs and Measures of Performance (MOPs). For example, if combat capability could be linked to training effectiveness measures, decision-makers could more readily see the impact of advanced training technology. Researchers may find this course of action difficult because no comprehensive listing of aeronautical system MOEs and MOPs existed in the literature. Therefore, CSERIAC was tasked in a two-phase project to identify aeronautical system MOEs and MOPs which relate to human and human-system performance, CSERIAC searched the literature for MOEs and MOPs, brainstormed with readiness research experts, and examined human-system interface criteria for judging mission effectiveness. This paper provides a summary of the sources of MOEs and how CSERIAC constructed the Human-System MOE/MOP Taxonomy for Aeronautical Systems. In Phase II, using the MOE hierarchy, CSERIAC will interview AF decision-makers with wartime missions and responsibilities to capture their criteria for judging unit readiness and effectiveness for comparison with the compiled MOE hierarchy. Measures prioritized as most important will then be linked to MPT effectiveness metrics. With these linkages, the value of advanced training and screening technology can be more clearly demonstrated. This paper also highlights plans for the remaining project.