Analysis Techniques For Man-Machine Systems Design

NATO UNCLASSIFIEDAC1243(Pane1-8)TRfl - iv -Volumne-1should start at the outset of a project and be updated throughout the development cycle, as withother engineering elements.iv. In 1984, a NATO DRG Panel 8 workshop reviewed "Applications of systemsergonomics to weapon system development" and made thirty-six recommendations to improvethe application of ergonomics (or human factors) technology, many of which were concernedwith human engineering (Merriman et al., 1984>. Subsequently an Exploratory Group, convenedto review the recommendations of the workshop, recommended the formation of a ResearchStudy Group to:* review the state of knowledge of analytical techniques* evaluate such analytical methods for their effectiveness, reliability and ease of use* stimulate co-operative efforts for improving existing methods, determining where newtechniques are needed, and for developing new techniques* recommend courses of action for improving the standardization of techniquesResearch Study Group (RSG) 14 was formed in October 1987 to work towards theseobjectives.miSC(an0.1.2 Survey of human engineering analysis techniquesv. RSG.14 compiled a list of twenty-four human engineering analysis techniques usedfor the analysis of Missions, Functions, Tasks, and Operator Performance. Many of thesetechniques are similar to analytical techniques used in other systems engineering activities, andmight be expected to be in widespread use. The RSG surveyed the use of these techniques inthirty-three projects in seven countries (Chapter 2).havevi. It was found that the rate of application of the techniques was low and inconsistent, of stnalthough increasing. The application to NATO projects was extremely limited. The overall levelexisti.of knowledge of human engineering analysis techniques was very low also, and training coursesintegiin human engineering did not cover them. Therefore, the RSG decided to compile a guide to(ChaTthirty-one human engineering analysis techniques for use by project managers and engineers inthe NATO nations. Volume 2 Part 1 of this report represents the outcome of that work.I factorappro0.1.3 Review of human engineering analysis techniques develdevelvii. Analysis is a widely used approach in systems engineering and system design/development. This review covers analytical techniques used for human engineering (Chapter 3).The review does not deal with other human engineering techniques such as experimentation,modelling, man-in-the-loop simulation, rapid or virtual prototyping, test and evaluation, or fieldtrials, although the relationship of those techniques to analysis is discussed in the report. Thereview contains descriptions of the most widely used techniques for six major types of analysis,which, typically, are used in sequence (Fig. 0.1).viii. Modem approaches to design emphasize the functional aspects of systems. It hasbeen found difficult to do this without the benefit of reference to earlier applications. To supportthis, examples of system decompositions were also compiled and are reported in Volume 2 Part2. The material covers aircraft, ships, and army systems, and provide examples of sevendifferent approaches to functional decomposition.NATO UNCLASSIFIEDintegrallocastudiereviev- iv -