Advances in the Use of Computers for Handling Human Factors Task Data 670291

The relative simplicity of early systems was such that human requirements (skills) were easily interchanged within and between systems. Current complex aerosystems are accompanied by an increased need for closer consideration of the human component. The amounts of information generated and the compressed developmental schedules have led the specialist to rely heavily on his own expertise when existing data are not known to exist or are inaccessible. As such, the input to early identification of requirements and the integration of these requirements into training programs has suffered. In 1963, the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, initiated a joint research program to explore, and where possible, develop techniques for handling and processing human factors task data (task analysis/maintenance analysis). It is anticipated that the techniques will assist the human factors specialist in industry and the government to make better use of available data for making decisions about the training of system maintenance and operator personnel. The techniques will also be useful in carrying out a variety of other functions related to the human side of aerospace system development.