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Problem Statement and Objectives
Additional methods are needed to evaluate the cognitive
impact new technologies have on warfighters. Cognitive
impact, how a system will influence the users ways of
thinking about the problem and solutions, is hard to
evaluate especially early in the development cycle. Too many
systems are developed that focus on technological
possibility and not what the impact will be on the people
and organizations that have to make use of the technology.
The objectives for this project were to produce a method
that
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Allowed risk management throughout the development
lifecycle
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Provided effective feedback
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Is
supportable with usable software tool
Results and Benefits
In order to support warfighter evaluations, ARA tracked
created a management method called the Cognitive
Performance Case, based upon the safety case concept. This
method provides integrated risk management for cognitive
performance throughout the development lifecycle. It
provides a mechanism for integrating both the new
techniques developed in this project as well as existing
human factors evaluation techniques. To provide
design-relevant feedback through the lifecycle, we
specified four assessment techniques based on Cognitive
Systems Engineering, Human Factors, and Software
Engineering process research and best practices. To assist
in these techniques and make them available to a wide
range technologist, we distilled Cognitive Systems
Engineering research into a usable form for assessment. We
have created a concept prototype for a software tool to
support expert review. We will grow this seed into a
system that supports the entire Cognitive Performance
Case. Our expert review technique has been used
successfully in both government and commercial settings,
providing validation for our approach.
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Four assessment techniques for
coverage of the lifecycle.
Find out about our capabilities in
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