Projects

An air force pilot and a group of surgeons

This page describes some of our current and previous human factors research projects. Our clients include the U.S. Navy, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

For each project, we have included an overview of our research goals and accomplishments. Additional information can be obtained under the Publications section. If you would like to learn more about a specific project, please contact Dr. David Baker at dbaker@air.org.

Current Projects

Evaluation of Medical Team Training

Industry: Health care
Business Need: Team Training
Client: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

A recent government report recommended the widespread adoption of Crew Resource Management (CRM) training for health care teams. In this project, we reviewed several health care team training programs and provide recommendations for improving their effectiveness.

Aviation Safety Action Program

Industry: Aviation
Business Need: Human Error Analysis
Client: Federal Aviation Administration

Between 60-80% of all aviation accidents are caused by human error. In this project, we are developing a system to classify human error on the flight deck. When complete, we will use this information to help the airline community develop more effective training programs.

TeamSTEPPS

Industry: Health care
Business Need: Team Training
Client: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Department of Defense (DoD)

Teamwork is critical to ensuring patient safety and error avoidance. Teams make fewer mistakes than do individuals, especially when each team member knows his or her responsibilities, as well as those of other team members. However, simply installing a team structure does not automatically ensure it will operate effectively. TeamSTEPPS teaches the core facets of teamwork required to maximize team effectiveness: Leadership, Situation Monitoring, Mutual Support, and Communication.

Previous Projects

Airline Pilot Training Survey

Industry: Aviation
Business Need: Team Training
Client: Federal Aviation Administration

Airline pilot training is essential to ensuring the margin of safety. In this project, we surveyed over 30,000 pilots about their perceptions of the "best practices" in pilot crew training and evaluation.

Capitol One Competency Model

Industry: Business
Business Need: Team Training
Client: Capitol One Bank

Capitol One Bank recently identified a core set of values that they want their employees to personify. In this project, we developed a tool for selecting candidates that match Capital One’s core values.

CAMI Job Analysis

Industry: Aviation
Business Need: Training Needs Analysis
Client: Federal Aviation Administration

Airways Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS) install, maintain, and repair communication services to ensure the reliable, safe, and efficient flow of air traffic. In this project, we conducted a detailed job analysis of the ATSS position. These results are being used to develop a selection test for prospective ATSS candidates.

Human Performance Measurement Thresholds

Industry: Military
Business Need: Team Training
Client: Sonalysts, Inc.

Shipboard trainers have an extremely complex and stressful job. In this project, we are researching a variety of strategies to help them streamline the process of collecting team performance data during team training exercises.

Performance Measurement Authoring Tool

Industry: Military
Business Need: Team Training
Client: NAVAIR Training Systems Division

Changing mission requirements and budget cuts require that shipboard trainers must continually do more with less. In this project, we are developing a software tool that will assist shipboard trainers in collecting human performance measures for use during end-of-training debriefs.

Pilot Instructor Rater Training

Industry: Aviation
Business Need: Team Training
Client: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Pilot instructors must debrief their trainees at the end of each simulated flight to help them learn from their mistakes. In this project, we developed a training program to help pilot instructors make more reliable and valid ratings of their trainees' performance.