Adopting a Human Systems Integration approach to design

Human Systems Integration is the systems engineering discipline directed at addressing human performance in technology development and system acquisition.  This includes designing for human capability, proficiency, human utilization, accommodation, survivability, health and personnel safety, in the acquisition strategy.

From an HSI perspective, the major con- cern is to maximize human performance and minimize human performance risks, which address established deficiencies in any one or more of the constituents of human performance including (a) human capability (inability to perform as required), (b) human proficiency (training is inadequate), (c) human availability (systems are understaffed or crew is overworked), (d) human utilization (personnel are assigned to work who are lacking the required knowledge and skills), (e) human accommodation (quality of life in the system or platform is inadequate), (f) human health and safety (hazardous design features, working environments, or work practices are encountered), and human survivability (protection is inadequate for systems personnel and/or bystanders).

HSI ensures the full integration of the human with other elements of the system, including hardware, software, courseware, information, procedures, policy and doctrine, documentation, design features, technology, environments, organizations, and other humans.

The specific domains of HSI vary across the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Homeland Security but they all primarily include the following aspects:

Manpower - quantity and quality of personnel required;

Personnel - requirements for recruiting, retaining, assigning, and supporting personnel in career advancement;

Training - requirements and techniques for delivering needed knowledge, skills and abilities to the human;

Human factors engineering - requirements, concepts and criteria for design of user interfaces in accordance with the capabilities and limitations of the human;

Habitability - requirements for providing an adequate quality of life;

Personnel survivability - requirements for human protection and safeguards; and

Safety and health - requirements to reduce hazards to human safety and health.

HSI considers the human to be an essential element of the system. Proper application of HSI ensures successful and affordable total system performance as a direct function of the design of system user interfaces to effectively meet customer and user requirements and needs. The extent to which HSI can influence design is reflected not only in how early in the systems engineering process it is addressed but also to what degree program management has accepted the involvement of HSI in the acquisition of the system. HSI in system acquisition is directed at identifying, prioritizing, and mitigating risks to human performance, workload, safety and occupational health, and well being.

As a systems engineering discipline, HSI must be addressed both in system requirements documents and life cycle documents and in all acquisition docum- ents that address the roles, requirements, and constraints to be placed on the human element of the system. Recognizing these best practices and applying them to system design will provide best value engineering and technical products as well as ensure technologies, new and existing, are designed with the most effective, efficient, and affordable workforce management support, job performance preparation, human performance reliability, and a habitable and safe work environment.

A comprehensive paper titled U.S. Department of Homeland Security Human Systems Integration Applied to U.S. Coast Guard Surface Asset Acquisitions – on which this article is based - can be downloaded below: :

HE00925 - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION APPLIED TO U.S. COAST GUARD SURFACE ASSET ACQUISITIONS