Introduction
Human Interaction Management (HIM) is the concept that aims to create more cooperative and collaborative teams in the workplace.
HIM is closely related to Business Process Management (BPM) but focuses more on the human factors involved unlike BPM which is considered to be more mechanical in its thinking.
The Five Principles of HIM
There are five principles of Human Interaction Management, proposed by Harrison-Broninski (2006):
- Knowledge; information gathered must be turned into knowledge which can then be used and distributed.
- Communication; information must be able to be transmitted through multiple modes such as SMS, speech, and email. All communication should be goal-directed.
- Team building; the attributes and abilities of each individual must be understood and recognised, with each member’s responsibilities clearly stated.
- Collaboration and Planning; there must be continual negotiation between affected parties throughout the process.
- Empowerment in Time Management; the people concerned should be empowered to make decisions in managing their time spent on various activities.
Application in Aviation
Human Interaction Management can be used in all areas of aviation, from the cockpit to the management office. Benefits such as more effective and efficient communication between human users in different aviation teams can be achieved through applying the concept of HIM into the workplace.
This improved communication may also translate into increased productivity and improved safety levels.