Human System Integration Ontology: Enhancing Model Based Systems Engineering to Evaluate Human-system Performance

As we move forward to integrate system descriptive models and system analytical models, there is a key opportunity to integrate other viewpoints into the system model. Specifically, we have the opportunity to extend current modeling semantics and add other disciplines. Current systems engineering practices address human-system integration concerns as an afterthought (i.e., after system architectures have already been created). One primary reason for this deficiency is that people not trained in human factors engineering are unable to communicate with those that are, due to differences in terminology. To better integrate humans into and with systems, new semantics are needed to extend current system modeling representations. The integration of new semantics will allow human elements to be analyzed in a more holistic perspective. This paper looks into identifying core building blocks for creating the ontology for human system interaction, interfaces, and integration. This ontology, once fully developed, will extend current system modeling capabilities that will enable the human element to be analyzed as part of the overall system development process.