I__. - International Military Testing Association

Using those systems tasks which are frequently assigned to
humans in systems design (identify friend-or-foe, for example),
develop a plan for the collection of human performance task
data:
First, -search for existing data with high human factors and
engineering community acceptance. In other words, use what we
have first. This approach is particularly important early in
the effort when the needs for combat modeling data are ill
defined. Data collected without a good understanding of how it
will be used is likely to go unused. As the process matures,
the personnel data development and modeling communities will
develop an understanding of one another's needs and a protocol
for data communication will evolve.
Second, develop data through the use of cost effective means
such as developmental tests in training simulators. Since
personnel data formats for combat models are likely to evolve,
the costly process of test or field developed data is likely to
be wasted due to inevitable changes. The new family of flight
and vehicle simulators offers an excellent opportunity to
collect human performance data for combat model input.
Third, develop data through field operations research. An
excellent example of this concept was the Fire Fighting Task
Force study sponsored by the U.S. Army's Concepts Analysis
Agency in Bethesda, Maryland. The Fire Fighting Task Force
studied the psychological impact of stress caused by U. S. Army
Infantry units fighting the Yellowstone National Forest fire in
1988. This type of effort not only generates data for use in
modeling, but contributes to our understanding of combat theory.
Finally,loop early data development back to the human factors
modified model in order to demonstrate human factors as an
independent variable in the outcome of combat and document those
human variables which warrant further developmental research.
This loop-back function will automatically develop personnel
combat modeling data protocol as a by-product.
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