HPI - Goal 1
To create or identify a quantitative cause-and-effect modeling strategy that can explain with reasonable fidelity the interface of any human system to any any task.
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HPI - Goal 1 To create or identify a quantitative cause-and-effect modeling strategy that can explain with reasonable fidelity the interface of any human system to any any task. |
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The concept of "performance" pervades nearly all aspects of life, especially decision-making processes that involve human and artificial systems. Yet, it is not well understood theoretically and techniques for its modeling and measurement in all fields have not been guided by any general conceptual framework. Although a considerable body of material known as "general systems theory" exists, the concept of performance has not been incorporated in it nor has performance been addressed in a general sense elsewhere. Most knowledge that does exist about performance and its quantitative treatment has evolved within specific applications, where generalizations can easily be elusive or seemingly unimportant. Performance is multi-faceted, pertaining to how well a given system executes an intended function and the various factors that contribute to this. It differs from "behavior" in that "the best" or "the most" of something is implied.
In the process of defining Goal 1, it was discovered (through a broad-based literature review) that problems associated with modeling and measurement of human performance were present in other fields that dealt with complex systems. It became evident that the lack of a general theory of system performance was at the root of such problems. Thus, while stimulated by our interest in human performance, the core of our response to Goal 1 was approached from a more general "systems" perspective. The two major responses to Goal 1 have been: