The role of human factors task data in aerospace system design and development

Abstract

Abstract : On the basis of information gathered from generators and users of human factors task data by both interviews and questionnaires and by a review of relevant literature, human factors personnel and data were identified, the relations between them described, and recommendations for an automated human factors task data handling system proposed. Human factors personnel were closely divisible into four hierarchically arranged groups: Program Level Managers, Personnel Subsystem Managers, Department Heads, and Nonmanagerial Personnel. In general, and for the populations described, managers or supervisors were the principal users and nonmanagerial personnel the principal generators of human factors data. A framework that permits classification of both formatted and unformatted data was proposed as responsive to the generally felt need by data generators and users for more orderly 'bookkeeping' in the human factors realm. Desirable characteristics of an automated human factors task data handling system were derived from the questionnaire responses. The responses also indicated that: (1) about 80% thought some use could be made of computers in their work, (2) retrieval time was important to at least 80%, (3) current modal data retrieval times range from 1 to 6 days. (Author)