Function Allocation for Future Systems: Developing an Improved Methodology

Abstract

The Defence Evaluation & Research Agency (DERA) is investigating methods of function allocation for future military systems, which could be usefully applied within the Ministry of Defence procurement cycle. A drive for manpower reduction has highlighted the requirement for optimum allocation of tasks between human and machine and also between humans within teams. Over reliance on automation may have significant adverse consequences for the human operator, ranging from loss of situational awareness in the short term, to reduced job satisfaction in the longer term. This paper describes work that has been carried out to investigate the suitability of existing methods of function allocation for complex systems within the Naval domain. To address deficiencies which were identified, a new method of function allocation has been developed and is briefly described. This new method attempts to integrate the two previously disparate literatures concerning function allocation and job design, to ensure the optimal allocation of functions in future systems.