Expanding Dod Human Systems Integration Demands—Can we Deliver what is Needed?

DoD Acquisition has recently undergone major changes. In the recently published DoD Instruction 5000.2 (only available on-line at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/50002.htm ), Human Systems Integration (HSI) has become a focus for all new system acquisitions. In the Instruction, HSI is defined to include: Human Factors Engineering, Personnel, Habitability, Manpower, Training, Environment, Safety and Occupational Health (ESOH), and Survivability. New acquisition policy intends that each of these HSI areas become a documented component of all acquisitions to meet maximal capability with the right number of personnel, suitably trained, and ready for operations, and at the same time assuring their health, safety and survivability. The panel's goals are: 1. To inform the community of the expanded DoD HSI emphasis and 2. To ask the HSI community to assess whether and how we are situated to meet the demands.