Appropriate Automation – Integrating Technical, Human, Organizational, Economic, and Cultural Factors

Abstract

Automation technology, including digital computer and communication techniques, is being applied in an ever-increasing range of private and public spheres, also reaching third-world cultures not previously exposed to such technology. This invokes the engineer's responsibility to consider the direct and indirect effects caused by this technology.The question is when and how to include these factors in the design and implementation process, prospectively avoiding bad effects and still fulfilling the goals imposed on the engineer by his client. To be able to carry that responsibility and make proper design decisions, the engineer must both understand 'appropriateness' within a given boundary, and have decision authority together with other parties participating in the design. Whereas sound methodologies for user-centred design are appearing, anticipating and considering the cultural effects of automation is an area going far beyond engineering. Nevertheless, engineers should get more deeply involved in comprehensive technology assessment. Encouraging experiences show how novel design approaches and consideration of comprehensive sets of requirements can lead to better overall system performance, but much research on open questions remains to be done.