An evaluation of two function allocation methods

Allocation of function methods tend to focus upon the individual partnerships between operator and machine, whereas many systems are essentially collaborative settings. Those methods that do better in team settings are relatively weak in their ability to integrate with system engineering processes. In this paper we contrast two function allocation methods developed from these differing perspectives. One takes as its scope the organisational structure of a system and models the allocation of function from the perspective of this structure. The other takes the individual partnership between a human and machine as its scope and models the allocation of function from the perspective of the situational context within which this partnership operates. In the process of critiquing these two methods we introduce the essence of a new function allocation process that combines the best features of both. The new method is intended to support the design of complex dynamic control systems consisting of multiple agents