The Human Performance Assessment Process (HPAP) was adopted in the context of the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Programme to validate from a human performance (HP) point of view the solutions adopted to modernise the air traffic management in Europe. It is intended to provide evidence that airborne and ground ATM actors will, in fact, be able to contribute to the SESAR Projects expected performance benefits. The SESAR HPAP is connected to a large variety of HP methods, including many of those described in the SAFEMODE HF Toolkit and helps the design team to choose one or the other in different lifecycle phases depending on the level of maturity of the project under analysis and on its specific needs.
SESAR HP Assessment Process uses: an ‘argument’ and ‘evidence’ approach.
HP argument - the claim that needs to be proven.
Evidence – shall be provided through the HP assessment to show that the HP arguments have been considered and satisfied by the HP assessment process.
It is structured into validation phases that are the set of requirements that the chosen solution has to comply with.
A “solution” is a SESAR specific term which refers to the idea that has to be implemented and which needs to be checked in the analysis. The process produces the HP Log which contains all the data/information obtained from all HP activities conducted as part of the HP assessment.
The table shows an excerpt of the HP argument table, illustrating the first argument and sub-arguments dealing with human roles and responsibilities.
SESAR HP Assessment Process:
Provides assurance that HP aspects related to SESAR technical and operational developments are systematically identified and managed;
Describes arguments and necessary evidence to show that airborne and ground ATM actors will contribute to the SESAR expected performance benefits;
Shows that the roles, responsibilities and tasks of airborne and ground ATM actors as developed in SESAR are within the scope of human capabilities and limitations;
Ensures Human Factors proactively contribute to building the operational concept and system architecture.
Graphic elaboration: SESAR
SESAR operational and technical development is structured into three validation phases (V-phases):
V1: Scope – Identifies the operational and technical solutions for meeting the target performance.
V2: Feasibility – Develops and explores the individual concept elements and supporting enablers until:
- the retained concept(s) can be considered operationally feasible.
- further development is no longer justified.
V3: Pre-industrial development and integration – 3 main focuses:
- Develops and refines operational concepts and supporting enablers to prepare their transition from research to an operational environment.
- Validates that all developed concepts and supporting enablers can work together and are capable of delivering the required benefits.
- Establishes that the concurrent packages can be integrated into the target ATM system.
The HP assessment process includes four steps, each of which contains a series of tasks:
STEP 1: Understand the ATM concept.
Understand the ATM system, its needs and constraints (especially the needs of ATM actors), the ATM change proposed by the solution, the assumptions on which the solution is based (i.e. context of implementation);
Ensure that the descriptions of reference, solution(s) and assumptions are complete and consolidated;
Understand potential interactions of the proposed solution(s) with other related SESAR solutions.
STEP 2: Understand the HP implications.
Understand the proposed changes in terms of relevant HP arguments and activities;
Identify HP issues, benefits and impacts associated with the HP arguments;
Define HP validation objectives, expected evidence and relevant scenarios;
Plan the HP activities to be carried out as part of the next step and contribute to SESAR documentation.
STEP 3: Improve and validate the concept.
Conduct the HP activities as they have been specified in the HP assessment plan.
Analyse and document HP activities & outcomes. The findings will: i) serve to support the arguments and validate the proposed concept or design of a technical solution; ii) form the basis of recommendations and requirements for further analysis and development of the proposed solution.
Update HP Log and contribute to SESAR documentation.
STEP 4: Collate findings and conclude on the transition to the next V-phase.
Assess whether HP arguments are satisfied;
Conclude on the transition to the next V-phase;
Produce the HP assessment report;
Manage HP requirements and recommendations.