MAP-01-011 HFI Technical Guide - Human Factors Integration ...

MAP-01-011 – HFI Technical Guide (STGP 11)A3.7.1SA Requirements AnalysisA Situational Awareness (SA) requirements analysis should be conducted for thetask environment under analysis. This ensures the validity of the SA assessmenttechnique used, in that it specifies what exactly SA in the environment underanalysis is comprised of and thus determines those elements of SA that thechosen assessment technique should measure.For example, when using an on-line probe technique such as SAGAT, the resultsof an SA requirements analysis form the content of the SA queries used.Similarly, an SA requirements analysis is used to construct those behaviours thatare rated in observer rating techniques such as SABARS.Whilst there are numerous techniques available to the HF practitioner for theassessment of SA, there is limited information on how to conduct an SArequirements analysis for novel domains, such as military command and controlenvironments. A typical SA Requirements Analysis procedure involves the useof unstructured interviews, goal-directed task analysis and structuredquestionnaires in order to determine the SA requirements for the task(s) orenvironment under analysis. The results of the SA requirements analysis canthen be used during the development of the SA queries that are used in the SAanalysis.• Advantages• An SA requirements analysis output specifies those elements required forthe achievement and maintenance of SA in the system or task underanalysis.• The output can be used to develop queries designed to assess operatorSA in the task or scenario under analysis.• If conducted properly, the technique has the potential to be verycomprehensive.• Uses SME’s with high levels of relevant experience, ensuringcomprehensiveness.• The SA requirements analysis procedure has been used extensively in anumber of different domains e.g. aviation, air traffic control and the military.• The use of appropriate SME’s ensures the validity of the SA requirementsidentified.• Disadvantages• The SA requirements analysis procedure is a lengthy one, requiringinterviews, observation, task analysis and the administration ofquestionnaires. A huge amount of resources are invested whenconducting an SA requirements analysis.• Requires access to numerous SME’s for a lengthy period of time. Thisaccess may be difficult to obtain.May 2006 Page A3-56 Issue 4