Assessing technology effects on human performance through trade space development and evaluation

Constructive simulation provides an exploratory environment for performance - effectiveness tradeoffs. However, technology trade spaces comprise many potential experiments, each containing a large sample space of experimental outcomes. Exploration of this entire space is an intractably large problem. We describe a methodology that focuses analysts only on regions of the trade space holding the most promise for effective analyses. Our methodology uses an iterative process to define the trade space, develop system and operator descriptions, parameterize the trade space and analyze performance against requirements. Each step is briefly described through the use of a notional attack aircraft crew system example. Four vectors through the trade space are identified to guide definition of specific issues modeled within the Combat Automation Requirements Testbed (CART) environment. CART constructive simulations serve a critical role by allowing rapid development and testing of alternative technologies in each area of interest.