Designing automation to reduce operator errors

This paper describes an approach to dealing with mode confusion errors by first modeling blackbox software behavior and then using analysis methods and tools to assist in searching the models for predictable error forms, i.e., for features that contribute to operator mistakes. The analysis results can be used to redesign the automation, to change operator training and procedures, or to design appropriate human-computer interfaces to help avoid mistakes. The approach requires a model of the blackbox behavior that is both formal and easily readable and reviewable by humans. The models we use are part of the software specifications in a methodology called SpecTRM (Specification Tools and Requirements Methodology) and thus the analysis is done directly on the system requirements specification and does not require extra modeling effort.