PREPARE HUMAN FACTORS INPUT TO AMS DOCUMENTATION

Purpose

The purpose of this function is to present the human factors inputs for integration in system acquisition documentation. Although human factors inputs are developed and iterated throughout the entire acquisition cycle, primary inputs are often through acquisition documentation. This chapter shows how the Human Factors Coordinator, working with the other Integrated Product Team (IPT) and human factors user group members, develops human factors inputs to these acquisition documents.  (As used in this document, IPT refers to the IPT and/or the Product Team.)

The acquisition documents are identified, and typical inputs are discussed which help ensure that human performance supports system performance goals and objectives.

Acquisition Documents

The key documents in a system acquisition requiring an input relative to human factors are the:

• Mission Need Statement (MNS).  The MNS defines a mission capability shortfall or technological opportunity the FAA should address and includes consideration of major human resource and human-system performance issues.
• Requirements Document (RD).  The RD establishes the performance baseline and operational framework for an acquisition program and includes human-system interfaces and human performance requirements.
• Investment Analysis Report (IAR).  The IAR summarizes the analytical and quantitative information developed during investment analysis in the search for the best means for satisfying a mission need and identifies the human resource and performance trade-offs in terms of cost and benefit.
• Acquisition Program Baseline (APB).  The APB establishes the performance, cost, schedule, and benefits baseline within which an acquisition must be implemented and includes human-system performance thresholds and concepts for conducting the supporting Human Factors Program.
• Acquisition Strategy Paper (ASP).  The ASP defines the overall strategy by which an acquisition program will be implemented and outlines the strategy and objectives for the supporting Human Factors Program.
• Integrated Program Plan (IPP).  The IPP describes the detailed planning for all aspects of the program implementation and specifies the Human Factors Program tasks, activities, controls, responsibilities, and schedule.

Timing

• The MNS is prepared in the Mission Analysis phase.  Joint Resources Council (JRC) approval of the MNS initiates entry into the Investment Analysis phase.  The MNS is revalidated at the Investment Decision. Incorporation of major human resource and performance considerations provides a basis for addressing constraints related to the human component of the required capability.
• The RD is initiated in the Mission Analysis phase or prepared early in the Investment Analysis phase, and is approved and baselined at the Investment Decision.  It is at this point that detailed consideration of human-system interfaces and human performance requirements, characteristics, and criteria are initiated.
• The IAR is prepared during the Investment Analysis phase as the primary decision document at the Investment Decision. Identifying the human resource and performance trade-offs at this point provides insight into their impact on the operational suitability and operational effectiveness in quantifiable cost and benefit terms.
• The APB is baselined at the Investment Decision. Identifying the human-system performance thresholds and concepts for conducting the supporting human factors program in the APB establishes a reference point for all future human factors trade-offs in operational suitability and operational effectiveness.
• The ASP is prepared early in the Solution Implementation phase.  Providing a human factors strategy in the ASP helps ensure that the solicitation addresses critical human factors contractor services.
• The IPP is initiated during the Investment Analysis phase and prepared early in the Solution Implementation phase. The human factors portion of the IPP (the Integrated Human Factors Plan, or IHFP) provides an early and clear definition of the work to be conducted under the human factors program.

“How To”

There is a strong link between the acquisition documentation and the planning, management, and execution of the system acquisition program. The acquisition documentation defines the performance requirements and capabilities the system is to meet, the approach to be taken, and the specific tasks and activities that must be performed during system design, development, and implementation. 

Similarly, the human factors inputs to the acquisition documentation accomplish the same result regarding the Human Factors Program. Human factors inputs define human performance requirements and criteria, identify human performance and resource trade-offs, specify human performance thresholds, establish an approach to ensure human performance supports system performance, and define the specific tasks and activities to be conducted.

Without such input, the capabilities and limitations of the designated operators and maintainers will not adequately influence the design, and may result in lower levels of operational suitability and effectiveness.

Documents

Mission Need Statement

Requirements Document

Investment Analysis Report

Acquisition Program Baseline

Acquisition Strategy Paper

Integrated Program Plan

Checklist

HF Input to AMS documentation checklist