Analysis Techniques For Man-Machine Systems Design

NATO UNCLASSIFTEDAC/243(Panel-8)=RJ1 - 2 -Volume-i2. The effectiveness of mission accomplishment depends upon the exploitation of thevarious system resources, i.e., people, material, software, and orgation in a physical andsocial environmenL (Fig. 1.1). These resources provide the system elements. or sub-systems.The human resource is defined by the personnel who are available, their knowiedge and skills,and their characteristics (manpower, personnel, and training). Successful exploitation or thearsystem resources depends not only on their capability (sub-system performance) but on thequalitv of the interactions between them (sub-system compatibility, and sub-system S(communication). That is why designers must research the best interactions between the elements P.and combine them into an effective system, i e., they must design an integrated system. Theninteractions which the designer must consider include those between the selection and training ofdthe system operators and maintainers and the complexity of the hardware and software designCh(Fig. 1.2).< aSllOperatingMaintenancepersonnel i personnelSoftwareFigure 1.2:The human-machine system3. While taking the human system components into account, the designer mustremember that there are important variations from one human to another. whetheranthrotometric, physiological. psychological. or cultural. These human variations interact withone another, and, for any one individual, some characteristics change over time. In addition.human system elements may require protection from their working environment. The humansub-system factors which must be considered in the development of weapon systems comprise:* Human factors and cognitive psychological information which defines the capability ofoperators and maintainers to do mental work, the nature and content of information forpresentation, and the needs for training and practice.* Physiological and biodynamic information which defines the capability of operators andmaintainers to do physical work, their body positions and postures, the forces exertedon controls, the location of the components of the human-machine interface, the formand size of those components, for example, and requirements for physical protection.*Anthropometry information which defines human physical dimensions. the dimensionsof the work space and the location of controls and displays.Information from the foregoing disciplines which determines manpower requirements,the length of work period, and needs for and means of protection against environmentalconditons and safety and health hazards.NATO UNCLASSIFTED