Systems Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

18FlexTech: From Rigid to Flexible Human–Systems Integration

Guy A. Boy

Synopsis

Is human–systems integration (HSI) a necessary component of systems engineering (SE) or the opposite (i.e. is SE a necessary component of HSI)? It all depends on the perspective! If you are a technology‐centered engineer, SE will provide you with methods and tools to develop technological systems, and you will need human factors specialists to develop user interfaces and test the usability of the end product. In this perspective, HSI is a necessary component of SE. However, if you are human‐centered designer, you will need methods and tools to design and develop systems that enable the integration of human and machine requirements from the very beginning of design to dismantling of the system‐of‐systems at stake. This states the question of what we mean by “system.” A system is simply a representation that helps to figure out physical and cognitive functions and structures of both people and machines. In this chapter, several areas related to HSI are covered, including task and activity analysis, cognitive engineering, organization design and management, function allocation, complexity analysis, modeling, and human‐in‐the‐loop simulation (HITLS). Contemporary HSI design approaches are supported by virtual HITLS, which involves tangibility issues. Various kinds of data that should be collected and the tangibility indicators needed to develop appropriate HSI. An aeronautical example is provided to illustrate ...