ABSTRACT
The initial approach to any human error inquiry is appropriate data collection. This is true whether the focus of the effort is on just one highlighted human error problem with the objective of improving human performance or a more ambiguous and broader scope effort to specifically identify and effectively resolve all the potential sources of human error in a product, process, system, or service. It may be a postmarketing or after-the-fact attempt at
corrective
action, where the problem is known but the real causation and remedy are at issue. It may be an early design situation involving a proactive or
preventive
action effort where potential human error problems are not known and ambiguity may seem to prevail since no actual adverse or reportable event has as yet occurred. Thus, the data gathering may be comparatively narrow in scope or somewhat comprehensive in character. Despite the focus of the effort, relevant data can and should be the objective building blocks that can form a firm foundation for opinions of value and conclusions that have real substantial merit.
