2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

SOFTWARE SUPPORT OF HUMAN PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Ian Douglas
Learning Systems Institute, Florida State University,
320A, 2000 Levy Avenue Innovation Park, Tallahassee, Florida, 32310, USA.
idouglas@lsi.fsu.edu
INTRODUCTION
This paper will briefly describe the outcomes of the object-oriented performance analysis
(AOOPA) project, which is a three year research project carried out in collaboration with
the army training information systems directorate and the coast guard human
performance technology center. The project has two main goals: to develop a framework
for optimal methods of front-end analysis to precede the development of human
performance support systems (Douglas and Schaffer, 2002) and to develop a model for a
new generation of software tools to support the framework. A framework is a set of
guidelines for creating efficient methodologies; a methodology is a more detailed process
prescription. There are two key foundations for the framework. Firstly, that everything
should be driven by an understanding of performance within an organizational system. It
should not be driven by solutions. Secondly, that the output of performance analysis
should be digitized in the form of standard packages of analysis knowledge that can be
shared and reused.
In addition, the following principles are recommended within the framework:
Visual modeling
Collaborative analysis that includes end-users
Rationale management
Automated support for analysis
It is important to stress that the framework is not tied to any particular solution type. It
should not be interpreted as needs analysis for training or any other solution type.
Although training has been the dominant solution by which organizations seek to enhance
the performance of their personnel, the knowledge and skill requirements for operations
are expanding and changing at such a rate that other solutions are required for attaining
optimal performance. Automation, process re-engineering, providing jobs aids, and justin
time learning are among many solution types that can be blended into performance
support systems. Encouraging consideration of creative, non-traditional solutions is also
important in performance improvement; a perfect example of this was the use of playing
cards in Iraq to facilitate facial recognition. The OOPA framework is founded on general
systems theory (Weinberg, 2001). It also incorporates the common analytic approach of
stepwise refinement from a general problem domain to more specific components of the
problem.
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45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003