Human factors validation of complex human-technology systems – Need for updating the technical basis and improving the guides and standards

Human Factors validation is a critical step in the design and development of complex human-technology systems such as nuclear power plants. Unfortunately, frequent validation challenges are reported by designers, vendors, and authorities, and this presents challenges when determining the acceptability of system design due to inefficient test scenarios, and inadequate human performance measures. This means that whilst existing guides and standards attempt to provide technical advice and a common basis for different stakeholders, validation teams continue to report limitations in the levels of support provided. This paper discusses a number of these human factors validation challenges and makes recommendations for future research to improve the technical basis of guides and standards.