DATAWorks Speakers and Abstracts
Dr. Pam Savage-Knepshield
CACI, International
Understanding and Applying the Human Readiness Level Scale During User-Centered Design
Day 1, Room: B 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Pam Savage-Knepshield is employed by CACI, International as the user-centered design (UCD) lead for Army Field Artillery Command and Control Systems supporting the U.S. Army Project Manager Mission Command in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. She has a doctorate degree in cognitive psychology and is a Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. With over 35 years of human factors experience working in industry, academia, and the US Army, her interests focus on user-centered design from front-end development identifying user needs and translating them into user stories, through usability testing and post-fielding user satisfaction assessment.
Abstract: Understanding and Applying the Human Readiness Level Scale During User-Centered Design
The purpose of this short course is to support knowledge and application of the Human Readiness Level (HRL) scale described in ANSI/HFES 400-2021 Human Readiness Level Scale in the System Development Process. The HRL scale is a simple nine-level scale designed to supplement the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale to evaluate, track, and communicate the readiness of a technology or system for safe and effective human use. Application of the HRL scale ensures proper attention to human systems design throughout system development, which minimizes or prevents human error and enhances the user experience.
Learning objectives for the short course include:
(1) Understand the relationship between a user-centered design (UCD) process and the HRL Scale. Instructors will discuss a “typical” UCD process describing the design activities and data collected that support HRL Scale evaluation and tracking.
(2) Learn effective application of usability testing in a DOD environment. Instructors will describe iterative, formative usability testing with a hands-on opportunity to perform usability tasks. Human-centered evaluation of system design is a critical activity when evaluating the extent to which a system is ready for human use.
(3) Understand HFES 400-2021 development and contents. Instructors will describe the evolution of the HRL concept to convey its significance and the rigor behind the development of the technical standard. Instructors will walk through major sections of the standard and describe how to apply them.
(4) Learn how the HRL scale is applied in current and historical acquisition programs. Instructors will describe real-world Army applications of the HRL scale, including a case study of a software modernization program.
(5) Apply the HRL scale to practical real-world problems. Attendees will gain hands-on experience applying the HRL scale during group exercises that simulate teamwork during the system development process. Group exercises incorporate three different scenarios, being both hardware and software solutions at various stages of technological development. The hands-on exercises specifically address common questions about the practical use of the HRL scale. Course attendees do not need prior human factors/ergonomics knowledge or ability. The HRL scale is intended to be applied by human systems professionals with proper ability and experience; however, recipients of HRL scale ratings include many other types of personnel in design, engineering, and acquisition as well as high-level decision-makers, all of whom benefit from understanding the HRL scale. Before attending the course, students should download a free copy of the ANSI/HFES technical standard at https://my.hfes.org/online-store/publications and bring it to the course in electronic or hard copy format. Laptops are not necessary for the course but may facilitate notetaking and completion of the group exercises.