HFM 128/143: Moderators as a Method to Link HF to Operational Behaviour

In an attempt to define a generic way to include human factors in a simulation of military operations HFM 128 suggested to break the causal chain between human factors as input and operational outcome into three components: a) human factors science based models to calculate state variables of the human, b) Performance Shaping Functions (PSF) to quantify the effect of states on individual performance and c) operational models that integrate individual performance into operational performance. For a significant number of human factors state variables have been suggested that serve the intended purpose: fairly unique variables that represent the human factors states they stand for and which are in a comprehensive way related to performance. Cognitive processes are more complex in this respect, although also for this class of human factors state variables may be found. The concept of PSF has been exploited already in published performance models and gains in relevancy by using the state variables. This approach weeds
out much of the multiplicity that emerges from the numerous tasks and conditions that may be considered.
A compact approach to operational performance involves both (sub) task performance and the quality of the operational plan. Operational performance is then measured in success rate and military cost factors involved. None of the modelling architectures on the market exploits the full range depicted here. They seem to focus on aspects such as cognition, operational embedding, task networking or detailed behaviours. Recommendations to NATO are given to develop this field in order to cover the full needs of operational modelling, to reuse knowledge and to improve on validation of simulations.