Can Human Factors Technologies Fill the Gaps when there are Fewer People to do the Job?

Abstract

In the government, as well as, other industries, economic pressures are forcing organizations to operate with less money. With an organization such as the military where advanced technologies for equipment capture a significant portion of available funds, the only alternative is to reduce personnel costs, i.e., can fewer people do the work without compromising operational capability. In addition to budget considerations, the problem becomes exacerbated when population trends are examined. The objective of this panel is to address personnel reduction by focusing on the U.S. Navy's stated goal of major cut-backs in crew size while maintaining the same level of operational capability and assessing the capability of available human factors technologies to support this shift.