The Department of Defense Human factors standardization program

The Department of Defense (DoD) Human Factors Standardization Program is the most far-reaching standardization programme in the USA. It is an integrated component of the overall DoD Standardization Program. While only ten major documents are contained in the human factors standardization area, their effects on human factors engineering programmes are profound and wide-ranging. Preparation and updating of the human engineering standardisation documents have grown out of the efforts of several military agencies, contractors, consultants, universities and individuals. New documents, engineering practice studies and revision efforts are continuously planned by the Tri-Service (Army, Navy, Air Force) Human Factors Standardization Steering Committee in collaboration with industry groups and technical societies. The present five-year plan and other standardisation documents are readily available for review and input by anyone with relevant interests. Human factors specialists and other readers of this journal may therefore influence the direction of the human factors standardisation programme and the content of its military specifications, standards and handbooks.