Chapter 1Human Engineering Acceptable

PerformanceHuman Performance Engineering

Robert W. Bailey, Ph.D.

Third Edition

• SYSTEM- AN ENTITY THAT EXISTS TO CARRY OUT SOME PURPOSE.

• SYSTEM DESIGNERS- DETERMINE WHAT MUST BE DONE AND THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

PEOPLE SPECIALIST-

• 1. TRAINED COMPUTER PSYCHOLOGIST AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT TEAM

• 2. COMPUTER PSYCHOLIGIST ACT AS A CONSULTANT TO THE TEAM

• 3. SOMEONE ALREADY ON THE TEAM BECOMES FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS

ENGINEERING ?

• HUMAN PERFORMANCE- THE RESULT OF A PATTERN OF ACTIONS

CARRIED OUT TO SATISFY AN OBJECTIVE ACCORDING TO SOME STANDARD.

• STANDARDS-

MUST BE KNOWN TO THE USER

AND BE MEANINGFUL AND MEASURABLE.

ACTIONS OBJECTIVE STANDARD

Terminal use

Observable

a. Sit at keyboard Enter data into Computer Accuracy 99.8%

b. Strike keys with Rate:30,000 keystrokes a day

fingers

c. Look at source data Skill Development Time:

sheet three months

Satisfaction: high

Nonobservable

a. Emphasize speed

over accuracy

b. Try to ignore distractions

ActionsObservable

Driving aCar a. Put key in ignition

b. Start Carc. Look for obstructiond. Press acceleratore. Drive onto highwayf. Watch for other carsg. Shift gears

Nonobservable

a. Consider destinationb. Think about directionsc. Interpret road signs

Objective

Move car from point Ato point B

Standard

Accuracy: no accidentsRate: within posted speed limitSkill Development Time:three monthsSatisfaction: high

Actions Observable

Problem a. Observing displayssolving b. Observing warningsduring c. Talking/swearing/a nuclear angry remarksreactor d. Flushed facesproblem e. Walking back and forth

f. Waving arms in air g. Nodding head h. Pushing buttons

i. Moving levers j. Listening

Nonobservable

a. Considering the meaning of display readingsb. Thinking of possible alternatives

Objective

a. Determine what is wrongb. Take appropriate

action

Standard

Accuracy: do not make one wrong action Time: solve the problem before the core is damaged and/or radiation is releasedSkill Development Time:One month

Satisfaction: moderate do not want discouragement

Figure 1-1 Performance degradation possibly related to gunsight.

Performance Standards

Figure 1-2 Performance degradation possibly related to steadiness

MEASURING STANDARDS:

•ACCURACY

•USER SPEED

•SKILL DEVELOPMENT TIME

•USER SATISFACTION

HUMAN PERFORMANCE MODEL:SOMEBODY DOING SOMETHING IN SOMEPLACE

WHICH ELEMENTS DO DESIGNERS HAVE CONTROL OVER?

• The general state or condition of the human

• The activity, including any required tools or equipment

• The context in which an activity is performed

Figure 1-4 Human performance model

SENSORS BRAIN RESPONDERS

Human

HUMAN:SENSORSRESPONDERSBRAIN PROCESSING

OTHER FACTORS:SLEEP, FATIGUEILLNESS, DRUG REACTIONS

WHAT OTHER HUMAN CHARACTERISTIC WOULD EFFECT PERFORMANCE?

• MOTIVATION

ACTIVITY

-DESIGNER IS CONCERNED WITH ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS.

-USER IS ORIENTED TO JUST GETTING THROUGH THE DAY.

-SHOULD BE THOUGHTFULLY CREATED BY AN INNOVATIVE DESIGNER.

CONTEXT

PHYSICAL CONTEXT

WHAT PHYSICAL CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN STUDIED?

SOCIAL CONTEXT

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE

MAJOR HUMAN PERFORMANCE ISSUES

1. HUMAN PERFORMANCE VERSUS SYSTEM PERFORMANCE (COMPUTER, EQUIPEMENT, OTHER PEOPLE)

AIRLINE ACCIDENT-> HUMAN ERROR AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ->HUMAN ERROR

EX. BOY ON BICYCLE VS. BOY ON POGO STICK

MAJOR HUMAN PERFORMANCE ISSUES

2. HUMAN PERFORMANCE VERSUS HUMAN BEHAVIOR

PERFORMANCE IS MEETING YOUR OBJECTIVE –A RESULT.

BEHAVIOR IS THE ACTIONS LEADING TO THIS RESULT.

HUMAN PERFORANCE ENGINEEERING:

1. SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF PERFORMANCE- RELATED PROCESSES AND FUNCTIONS.

2. TRANSLATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS INTO MEANINGFUL HUMAN PERFORMANCE DATA, DESIGN PRINCIPLES, METHODOLOGIES, AND TECHNIQUES.

3. APPLICATION OF THIS INFORMATION IN SYSTEMS.

RESEARCH

Basic General-vision

-memory -learning

Applied General -typing errors-size of dials

-work motivation

Specific -best layout for keyboard -best shape for telephone

-best set of commands

-JOURNAL ARTICLES-TECHINICAL REPORTS

TRANSLATION

Human Performance -principles

-data -methodologies

-techniques

-Textbooks-Handbooks

-Training Courses

APPLICATIONS

Well-designed SystemsNew Methods,

Techniques, Principles, Etc.

Hardware Engineers Software Engineers

System Engineers

Human Performance Consultants

Human PerformanceDesigners

-design -training

-documentation-others

Figure 1-8 Human performance engineering