Analysis of Cognitive Work

Abstract

Cognitive task and work analyses are approaches to the analysis and support of cognitive work (rather than primarily physical or perceptual activities). Although a variety of methods exist for performing cognitive task and work analyses, they share a common goal of providing information about two mutually reinforcing perspectives. One perspective focuses on the fundamental characteristics of the work domain and the cognitive demands they impose. The other focuses on how current practitioners respond to the demands of the domain. This includes a description of the knowledge and skills practitioners have developed to operate effectively as well as any limitations in knowledge and strategies that contribute to performance problems. This chapter provides a broad survey of cognitive task analysis and cognitive work analysis methods. Some of the methods highlight techniques for knowledge gathering, whereas others focus on aspects of analysis and representation. Still other techniques emphasize process outputs, such as formal (computational) models of cognitive activities or design artifacts and associated rationales. In this chapter we review specific cognitive task and work analysis methods and describe through illustration how these methods can be adapted to meet specific project objectives and pragmatic constraints.