[3] The field of HSI integrates work from multiple human centered domains of study include training, manpower (the number of people), personnel (the qualifications of people), human factors engineering, safety, occupational health, survivability and habitability.
[2][3] The domains of HSI are interrelated: a focus on integration allows tradeoffs between domains, resulting in improved manpower utilization, reduced training costs, reduced maintenance time, improved user acceptance, decreased overall lifecycle costs, and a decreased need for redesigns and retrofits.
[3] HSI is most effective when it is initiated early in the acquisition process, when the need for a new or modified capability is identified.
The US Coast Guard implemented an HSI program in 2000[15] in the strategy and HR capability division (CG-1B) of the human resources directorate.
[15] The Federal Rail Administration (under the National Transportation Safety Board) and NASA Ames Research Center also address HSI.
[12] HSI as a distinct focus area was first addressed in the Operation of the Defense Acquisition System (DODINST 5000.02) issued in 2003.
The Board on Human Systems Integration (BOHSI) issues consensus studies, reports and proceedings on HSI research and application.
The DAG emphasizes the importance of representing HSI in all aspects of programmatic Integrated Product and Process Development, strategic planning and risk management.
The standard is provided for industry to apply HSI during system design, through disposal and all related activities.
The HSI domains of training, manpower and personnel fall under infrastructure management and are among the twelve elements of logistics / product support.
Safety and occupational health are important aspects of product support: injury, accidental equipment damage, chronic injuries and long-term health problems reduce supportability, reliability and availability[23] Human Factors Engineering (HFE) is an engineering discipline that ensures human capabilities and limitations in areas such as perception, cognition, sensory and physical attributes are incorporated into requirements and design.
[3] Effective HFE ensures that systems design capitalizes on, and does not exceed, the abilities of the human user population.
[3] HFE can reduce the scope of manpower and training requirements, and ensure the system can be operated maintained and supported by users, in a habitable, safe and survivable manner.
Manpower requirements should be based on task analysis and consider workload, fatigue, physical and sensory overload, environmental conditions (heat/cold) and reduced visibility.
[3] DoD manpower policy comes from DoD Directive 1100.4, Guidance for Manpower Management The personnel domain is concerned with the human performance characteristics of the user population (cognitive, sensory and physical skills, knowledge, experience and abilities) of operators, maintainers and support staff required for a system.
[3] Manpower and personnel standards include: Standard Practice for Manpower and Personnel SAE1010 The training domain is concerned with giving the target audience the opportunity to acquire, gain or enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to operate, maintain and support a system.
JSP 882 Defence Direction and Guidance for Training and Education The environment, safety and occupational health domain is focused on determining system design characteristics that minimize risks to human health and physical wellbeing such as acute or chronic illness, disability death, or injury.
If a design change isn't feasible, engineered features or devices should be added to interrupt the hazard and prevent a mishap.
Defence Policy for Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (DSA 01.1) Survivability is design features that reduce the risk of fratricide, detection and probability of an attack, and enable the crew to continue the mission and avoid acute or chronic illness, severe injury, disability or death in hostile environments.
[3][4] Elements of survivability include reducing susceptibility to a mishap or attack (protection against detection for example) and minimizing potential wounds or injury to personnel operating and maintaining the system.
[4] Design aspects such as lighting; space; ventilation and sanitation; noise and temperature control; religious, medical and food services availability; berthing, bathing and personal hygiene are all aspects of habitability, and directly contribute to personnel effectiveness and mission accomplishment.
The economics of human systems integration valuation of investments in peoples training and education, safety and health, and work productivity.