ABSTRACT
The goal of human factors test and evaluation (HFTE) is to catch technological side effects before they harm, frustrate, or impede users of the technology. In the case of automation, the need to test how well the systems could be monitored, diagnosed, and controlled by human supervisors was seen as a challenge for HFTE. Turning to the second technological challenge posed earlier, the information explosion resulting from the convergence of telephones, computers, and the Internet, HFTE has a long way to go in developing measures and defining requirements. Some would argue that extending HFTE to the voluntary overuse of technology by users smacks of guarding users against themselves and establishing a nanny-state mentality. As designers work toward technologies that do a better job at compelling users to behave responsibly and safely, HFTE must be ready with the methods and measures ready to evaluate their success.
