This standard is intended for use to specify human engineering tasking requirements for military systems, equipment, and facilities, cited contractually in statements of work. It may be invoked in its entirety or selectively as prescribed by the procuring activity. The primary use of this standard for procurement does not necessarily preclude its utilization for inhouse efforts, where desired. Compliance with this standard will provide the procuring activity with assurance of positive management control of the human engineering effort required in the design, development, and acquisition of military systems, equipment, and facilities. Specifically, it is intended to ensure that:

a. system requirements are achieved by consideration of the capabilities and limitations of the human component;

b. through proper design of equipment, software and associated user interfaces, and environment, the personnel-equipment-software combination meets system performance goals;

c. design features will not constitute an undue hazard to personnel;

d. trade-off points between automated versus manual operation have been chosen for peak system effectiveness within appropriate cost limits;

e. the application of human engineering principles to system design is technically adequate;

f. the equipment is designed to facilitate required maintenance;

g. procedures for operating and maintaining equipment are efficient, reliable, and safe;

h. potential error-inducing equipment design features are minimized; and

i. the layout of the facility and the arrangement of equipment affords efficient communication and use.