SHELL Model

“Hello and welcome! In any high-stakes environment — especially in aviation, air traffic control, and other safety-critical fields — understanding how humans interact with machines, technology, procedures, and the environment is key to preventing errors and ensuring smooth operations.

That’s where the SHELL model comes in. It’s one of the most widely used frameworks for understanding human factors. It helps explain how human performance is affected by different elements around us — from software and hardware to live interactions and external conditions.

This video will take you through the core components of the SHELL model — Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware, and how each connects with another. We’ll explore how mismatches in these areas can lead to mistakes, reduce efficiency, or compromise safety — and how aligning them can enhance performance and well-being.

Whether you’re an air traffic controller, pilot, engineer, or involved in any high-responsibility role, grasping these relationships helps you anticipate challenges, communicate better, and make smarter decisions — even under pressure.

We’ll break it down in simple, relatable terms and look at real-life examples where human factors make all the difference. By the end, you’ll not only understand the theory but also how to apply it to manage risks and improve interactions in your daily work.

So, let’s explore the SHELL model and unlock a deeper understanding of how human factors shape safety, performance, and teamwork.”