3.4.4 THE HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING SPECIALTY WITHIN THE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS

One mission of the Human Factors Engineering (HFE) specialty is to ensure that all user requirements have been identified and that developed information systems and products can be operated and maintained effectively, efficiently, and safely, and can achieve the system mission. As part of efforts to reach greater maturity in Systems Engineering, the Human Factors Engineering process has been integrated into the Systems Engineering process. This is accomplished by recognizing where the services of Human Factors Engineering personnel are necessary and how they should be effectively applied during systems development, accommodating cost concerns. This paper identifies the characteristics of programs that alert Systems Engineering to seek Human Factors Engineering involvement. It describes the Human Factors Engineering process and products, emphasizing those activities that HFE supports within the traditional Systems Engineering process (i.e., Concept of Operations). It describes Human Factors Engineering activities from contract award through Critical Design Review (CDR).