Activity Analysis of Expert and Novice Operators in a Semi-Automated Manufacturing Process

Abstract

Designing a human-machine interface for a manufacturing process requires a good knowledge of both the work domain and the operators' representation. Ecological Interface Design (EID) offers some interesting tools that can be of help in the design process. The literature on cognitive control also offers a good understanding of operators' cognitive resources. Analysing the activity of both expert and novice operators through these two frameworks may help us to better understand the differences between them. A three-step protocol was followed: 1. the elaboration of a means-end hierarchy, 2. the extraction of schemes via interviews, and 3. the evaluation of the behavioural manifestation of schemes. In the present case study, interviews revealed that both the novice and expert operators of a manufacturing process shared a representation of the global process. However, in contrast with the expert operators, the novice operators did not develop an operative scheme that related to the machine. The results will be used as a basis for the design of a human-machine interface that will aid them to do so.