Requirements Analysis:

We have developed and applied a number of unique tools and methodologies to identify potential human factors issues associated with new technologies and systems, potential sources and consequences of human error, trade study topics, operator information requirements, automation and function allocation requirements, and display and control requirements.

User Centered Design:

Electronic products are becoming increasingly complex and hard to use due to the proliferation of features and functions, the need to apply complex functional logic to access a large number of functions with a small number of controls, and the small form factors of products that minimize the space available for the user interface. We can help make functionally complex products simple to use by identifying and applying appropriate, existing user mental models as metaphors to make the functional logic intuitive. In other words, we can make the product work the way the user thinks, so the user doesn't have to learn how the product works.

Usability Analysis and Testing:

We have developed several analytic and computer-based tools to analyze user interface designs for their potential to induce human errors. In addition, we are using Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel to develop rapid prototypes of interface designs that can be run on a laptop and automatically record user responses with time tags. This allows the prototype platform to serve as both a design/development tool and a usability testing environment with objective human performance data.

Human Centered Automation:

Likewise, complex systems are becoming increasingly automated, leading to critical questions about unintended consequences of automation on human and system performance, potential over- or under-reliance on automation, appropriate operator and automation roles and responsibilities, automation-induced human error, and so forth. We can analyze complex systems for automation-related vulnerabilities, and develop human centered automation guidelines and philosophies, along with specific design solutions, to avoid automation-related safety problems.

Systems and Products Certification:

Human Factors is increasingly becoming a focus of government regulators in aviation, railroads, medical devices, consumer products, nuclear power, and other areas. We have extensive experience in developing and applying analytic and experimental methods to assessing human performance concerns in aircraft certification, and in helping the Federal Aviation Administration define the processes by which human factors issues will be addressed in future certification efforts. Our experience in this area can help in any field in which human factors is a regulatory concern.

Workload Analysis:

Most analytic workload models rely on attentional demand values (how much attention each task requires from specific operator resources, such as vision, audition, cognition, and psychomotor. However, we have demonstrated that, for any realistically complex system, attentional demand models add no diagnostic value over simply counting up the number of tasks. Instead, we use a multiple resources theory-based conflict analysis in which workload is calculated based on the degree of conflict between competing attentional resources. This allows us to systematically compare design options, such as whether to present information visually or aurally and at what location, or whether to assign an input task to the left hand, right hand, speech, or other available channel.

Human Factors Research:

We continue to perform basic research in human factors topics such as pilot mental models of airspace complexity, the development and application of human factors evaluation methods and tools by non-human factors experts, formalizing human factors design reviews, and other areas. We can also help with formal usability testing, experiment design and analysis, and other research topics.