Human Engineering Tools for Engineering of Complex Systems

The Engineering of Complex Systems(ECS) is a technology development initiative being conducted by the Naval surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division to formalize and standardize the process and tools associated with applying system engineering to computer intensive (complex) systems. The enabling capabilities required are heavily dependent on increasing levels of automation. The automated techniques will leverage the best available computing technologies and in some instances, will require advancements in state-of-the-art algorithms, computing hardware, software, networks, information management, displays, etc. The ECS program is concerned with computer intensive system (via system level components). System level components are software, hardware, and the human component. This SBIR effort will address the requirements for incorporating a concern for human engineering and human-centered design into the ECS methodology. This will be accomplished through and adaptation of a design process already existing within Carlow International¿s SHIP SHAPE (SHip System HIS Affordability and Performance Effectiveness) human engineering for ships process and tool system. A set of human engineering tools will also be developed in this SBIR which will be integrated among themselves, with the adapted human engineering form ECS design process, and with the other SHIP SHAPE tools and databases.