Cognitive Engineering for Intelligent Control Systems Design: Preserving User Models in Requirements Analysis

Current methods for gathering and formalizing software requirements do not adequately address development of the user component in intelligent control systems. Research indicates full integration of this component is essential to the design of systems where the user is key to system performance. The user model provides a promising focus for integrating human cognitive factors, mission tasks, and technological design options, resulting in an improved development process and producing better intelligent control systems. This paper presents a user model-based development process grounded in cognitive engineering research. The process also benefits from multimedia-based object management technologies. Application of this process is illustrated using a series of examples from the domain of onboard support systems for tactical fighter pilots.