A Framework for Assessing and Communicating Human Systems Integration Efficacy Across the System Lifecycle

• Published in: Procedia manufacturing Vol. 3; pp. 3054 - 3061
• Main Authors: O’Neil, Michael P., Shattuck, Lawrence G., Sciarini, Lee W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2015
• Subjects: Human factors engineering; Human factors integration; Human factors metrics; Human readiness level; Human Systems Integration; Human systems integration metrics; Systems readiness metrics; Technology readiness assessment; Technology Readiness Level; Usability assessment; Human systems integration metrics; Human factors integration; Human factors metrics; Human readiness level; Human factors engineering; Usability assessment; Systems readiness metrics; Technology Readiness Level; Human Systems Integration; Technology readiness assessment
• ISSN: 2351-9789; 2351-9789
• DOI: 10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.851

The economic advantages and tactical edge provided by properly configured human-technology interfaces are well documented in modern acquisition. Despite these clear advantages, implementing HSI continues to be impeded by the complexity of human-technology integration issues. We propose that the lack of understanding of HSI and its impacts on system performance are at the core of these challenges. The Comprehensive Human Integration Evaluation Framework (CHIEF) is proposed as a tool for understanding, assessing and communicating HSI's impact on total system performance across the system lifecycle. Using the development and emergence of the NASA/DoD Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale as a benchmark, recently proposed HSI and human factors (HF) metrics are analyzed to determine attributes for a useful framework. A simplified definition of HSI is offered as a foundation for understanding the HSI process. The CHIEF evaluation scheme, including an HSI performance summary, domain-specific rating scales and a workflow developed jointly by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Human Systems Integration and the Naval Postgraduate School are then described. Efforts to implement the framework in current USCG acquisition are summarized.