HPI - Goal 5

HPI - Goal 5

To enable practitioners across a wide-range of different fields to carry out high-quality (objective, accurate, etc.) problem solving and decision-making tasks related to human performance issues based on a common set of principles and methodology.

We have knowledge, information, and tools (i.e. technology) to disseminate. Knowledge and information are dealt with primarily via publications and by producing students who are intimately familiar with the new concepts and perspectives being developed at HPI, while the latter requires technology transfer activities. The satellite sites described under Goal 4 represent major vehicles for disseminating knowledge about methods and tools; they are also cornerstones of our dissemination plan.

Grant and contract proposals are also an important element of our dissemination process. Since 1983,nearly 200 such proposals have been prepared and submitted. Whether funded or not, each represents an "uncensored" view that is reviewed by an average of two or three individuals who are generally respected leaders in their fields.

Dissemination via Technology Transfer

Technology transfer has primarily focused on human performance capacity measurement tools to date, which has been carried out with Human Performance Measurement, Inc. HPM has an exclusive license from the UT Board of Regents to HPI developed measurement technology.

Commercially available versions of HPI-developed instruments are in use at major sites (e.g., universities and major hospitals) in nine countries and twelve states in a wide range of applications.

The DFW region has a diverse array of major, nationally recognized organizations with which HPI has developed strong connections. The sites shown below not only have measurement lab set-ups with HPI-developed instruments, but also collaborate with HPI investigators on projects and provide a means to interface with many different practitioners involved with human performance.

Dissemination via Publications

Publication efforts are a major component of our dissemination efforts. To date, we have published more than 200 items (journal articles and conference papers, books and chapters) dealing with the concepts and tools summarized herein.

To augment the overall publication process, we have created HPI Technical Reports, which permit more in-depth coverage of details of certain topics (i.e., beyond that which is practical in journal articles), as well as more rapid dissemination of important publications. They have been invaluable in providing internal continuity across projects. We hope to further the dissemination process in the near future by making selected HPI technical reports available for downloading via our Web site.

The first Biomedical Engineering Handbook was published in 1995. It is significant to note that "Human Performance Engineering" was included as one of the 19 major divisions (others include Biomaterials, Medical Informatics, Imaging, etc.) of this highly successful reference text. Dr. Kondraske had the honor of serving as editor of this section, which included 13 chapters. Many of the chapters were authored by HPI-affiliated individuals, providing a unique opportunity to disseminate work. A second edition is now in preparation.

Dissemination via Students

Approximately 50 dissertations and theses have been completed in association with HPI research. An additional group of students, approximately equal in size, have conducted masters-level or undergraduate projects with HPI. Students have participated from a broad range of traditional departments (see Appendix B), illustrating the true multidisciplinary nature of HPI's work. These include biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial and manufacturing science, and computer science and engineering (at UTA) as well as physical therapy (at Texas Woman's University).

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