Incorporating Operator Workload Issues and Concerns into the System Acquisition Process: A Pamphlet for Army Managers

This pamphlet defines and discusses the concept of workload as it relates to modern 'high technology' systems. It also identifies Department of Defense and Department of the Army policy, regulations, and responsibilities for ensuring that operator workload (OWL) issues and concerns are incorporated in the Army materiel acquisition process and offers suggestions on what management- level decision makers should know to adequately address OWL a each stage of the acquisition process. After defining OWL as the relative capacity to perform, the authors take the position that limited performance capabilities of the human component of a system must influence the requirements and design of a system in much the same way as do limited capabilities of materiel components. If OWL is not considered early and continuously during the design, development, and evaluation of a system, the Army will not know if the system makes excessive demands on the operator until it is too late for a cost-effective solution. The guidance provided in this report is based on the relationship between OWL and the Army manpower and personnel integration (MANPRINT) initiative and on the key role of the system MANPRINT management plan (SMMP) and the MANPRINT joint working group (MJWG) in addressing and tracking OWL issues and concerns throughout the acquisition process. This guidance promotes efforts to ensure total system effectiveness by continuous integration of all information relevant to soldier performance and reliability into the system development process. (KR)