Human factors contributions to the acceptance of computer-supported systems

Abstract

MoD equipment procurement projects within the naval sector are required to carry out Human factors Integration Programmes (HFIPs) as part of their procurement activities. These cover the subject areas of manpower and personnel, human engineering, training, environmental ergonomics, habitability, and health and safety. The project management team write the design policy papers for the programme of work, and state the standards that will apply. The design policy states priorities for any particular design area, in line with RN requirements and policy for the total system. It will also state the approach to acceptance. This paper describes an initial framework for describing the human factors acceptance tests and criteria in the case of computer-supported systems. The relationship between system requirements, standards, and acceptance criteria is discussed. The importance of requirements, and their associated design drivers, is considered with respect to its implications for the construction of acceptance tests. The characteristics of the framework and its contents are outlined. The latter cover test specifications and the subject areas covered during acceptance, i.e. facilities, usability and task characteristics in the cases of operations, training and maintenance. Possible extensions of the framework are suggested. Acceptance is seen as involving assessment of the validity of a design. The concept of a valid design is introduced, and discussed in relation to design policy.