Chapter 12 - Human Performance in Multi-Operator Systems

Abstract

This chapter discusses human performance in multioperator systems and provides an overview of human performance in team settings. A brief history of team research and a discussion of the theoretical foundations for teamwork are presented. Team level elements of success existing at the behavioral, cognitive, and affective levels can be identified and the methodologies and instruments that are developed to measure them are presented in the chapter. There are three important approaches for creating successful teams: team selection, task design, and team training. An ideal plan to ensure effective team performance should select the right people, provide them with a task designed for superior performance, and train them in the appropriate skills to accomplish that task. This chapter concludes with a look at new technologies, specifically, automation, which has both supported and impeded team functioning.