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SHELL model

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SHELL model

In aviation, the SHELL model (also known as the SHEL model) is a conceptual model of human factors that helps to clarify the location and cause of human error within an aviation environment.

It is named after the initial letters of its components (Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware) and places emphasis on the human being and human interfaces with other components of the aviation system.

The SHELL model adopts a systems perspective that suggests the human is rarely, if ever, the sole cause of an accident. The systems perspective considers a variety of contextual and task-related factors that interact with the human operator within the aviation system to affect operator performance. As a result, the SHELL model considers both active and latent failures in the aviation system.

The model was first developed as the SHEL model by Elwyn Edwards in 1972 and later modified into a 'building block' structure by Frank Hawkins in 1975.

Each component of the SHELL model (software, hardware, environment, liveware) represents a building block of human factors studies within aviation.

The human element or worker of interest (liveware) is at the centre or hub of the SHELL model that represents the modern air transportation system. The human element is the most critical and flexible component in the system, interacting directly with other system components, namely software, hardware, environment and liveware.

However, the edges of the central human component block are varied, to represent human limitations and variations in performance. Therefore, the other system component blocks must be carefully adapted and matched to this central component to accommodate human limitations and avoid stress and breakdowns (incidents/accidents) in the aviation system. To accomplish this matching, the characteristics or general capabilities and limitations of this central human component must be understood.

In the design of aviation workplaces and equipment, body measurements and movement are a vital factor. Differences occur according to ethnicity, age and gender for example. Design decisions must take into account the human dimensions and population percentage that the design is intended to satisfy.

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