Collective learning and collective memory for coping with dynamic complexity

Abstract

The need for coping with dynamic complex situations cuts through most modern life. Examples of such situations are emergency management, military command and control, traffic control (air, rail, road, water), rescue services, grid control, intensive care and industrial plant control. Consequences of failures in such situations include uncontrolled releases, injuries, poisoning and single deaths, all of which are highly desirable to prevent.Efficient performance in coping with dynamic situations is dependent on people's ability to notice, diagnose and react appropriately to the situation as well as their ability to combine and coordinate their perceptions, interpretations and actions. People are most efficient when their actions are so well trained that they can be performed automatically. People also have the ability to draw upon similar experiences and to reconfigure actions, in short, to be flexible and creative. (By creative is here meant the ability to come up with new and relevant solutions). This ability is related to their reflective actions, which are slow in comparison to the automated ones. Efficiency and creativity are both needed in complex dynamic situations. Both rely upon experience, skill and knowledge. The present workshop aims at discussing how efficiency and creativity in collaborative coping with complex dynamic situations can be learnt and trained as well as supported by information technology.This workshop was proposed by a group of European researchers, working on a project under COST 14, Cooperation Technology. We wanted to share our problems and ideas with other people, both within and outside of Europe.