Effective Human Factors in Software-Intensive Systems Jo Ann Lane CSE Annual Research Review – March 2006 © USC CSE 2006 University of Southern California Center for Software Engineering

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review Overview Human factors points of view –User  system –User  user –Developer  user –Developer  system –Developer  developer For each point of view –Human factors aspects –Potential problems –Approaches for effective human factors

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review Software-Intensive Systems: Vision Moving Forward Enterprise-wide net-centric systems for businesses and government agencies Complex military Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems Infrastructure systems –Automated freeway/road systems to manage congestion –“Smart” car systems –Utility systems Environmental systems –Predict and control environment –Minimize adverse impacts Health care systems –Improve diagnostic capabilities –Minimize adverse impacts of procedures and treatments –Control vital human functions (e.g., heart rate) Personal systems –Web-based business –Cell phones and PDAs –Appliances with embedded software/firmware –Security and home monitoring systems –Entertainment systems Very large to very small… Software-intensive systems are everywhere…

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review System User Perspective Human factors aspects –User interaction with data How to get data into the system How to collaborate with other users based on system information How to access data to retrieve required information How to manipulate data and control system to achieve desired results –Interaction with system devices In many cases, it’s not just a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse Potential problems –Critical data/information not available when necessary –Data/information not entered correctly –Users do not sufficiently understand system capabilities in order to effectively use them –User-system interactions too complex and not used

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review System User Perspective: Examples Aircraft: Operational Flight Programs (OFPs) –Many flight operations automated –How to let experts assume control quickly to handle off-nominal situations effectively –How to make sure flight control personnel are not overwhelmed with too much data to do their job in a timely manner “Smart Warrior” –Flow of critical information to the warrior via new technologies (voice, video, data) –Key personal information to support medical needs/treatment through various echelons (smart chips/cards) Healthcare applications –Ensuring right data entered/retrieved from system –Integration of health care devices –Telemedicine to support remote healthcare with few local experts

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review System User Perspective: Approaches for Effective Human Factors Know what information users need, when, and how fast –Include representatives from user community early and often –Develop use cases –Prototype, prototype, prototype Reduce probability of user errors (poka-yoke) –Example: Barcode hospital patients to ensure the vital statistics are entered into correct records and medications/treatments are given to correct patients Make approach “lean” –Analyze user activities and work areas to determine goals and value stream –Organize work areas and system information to minimize wasted (non-value adding) actions and rework Use standard patterns and templates for consistency throughout system Provide capabilities for users to define own views to support –Varying user information assimilation styles –System evolution for changing needs

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review System Developer Perspective Human factors aspects –Eliciting and understanding user needs and requirements –Coordinating activities of distributed development teams –Utilizing value-adding tools to automate development activities –Designing and implementing a quality system… without sending the development team on a “death march” Potential problems –Hidden defects in system products –Developer burnout resulting in high turnover rate –Excessive rework resulting in missed deadlines and escalating costs –Too little, too late  resulting in canceled projects

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review System Developer Perspective: Approaches for Effective Human Factors Knowledge of how current technologies can help –Collaboration/Groupware tools –Computer-Aided Software/System Engineering (CASE) tools Reduce probability of errors (poka-yoke) –Example: automated software analysis for identification of standards violations and other errors Make approach “lean” –Analyze developer activities and work areas to determine goals and value stream –Organize work areas and information to minimize wasted (non-value adding) actions and rework Consider integration of agile processes with more traditional development processes Implement reuse when feasible Provide capabilities for developers to define own views to support –Multiple information assimilation and analysis styles –Development process evolution for changing needs and technologies

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review Summary There are many perspectives to human factors with respect to software-intensive systems –User to system –User to user –Developer to user –Developer to developer –Developer to system Approaches for effective human factors need to provide –Consistency –Flexibility and adaptability to handle emergent behavior and process improvements –Error-proofing –Right technology solutions for problems—should be value-adding and efficient –Minimize learning curves

Effective Human Factors © USC CSE 2006 CSE Annual Research Review Questions?