Editors’ Introduction to the Special Issue on Exploring Cognitive Readiness in Complex Operational Environments

Abstract

Given the ever-increasing complexity of the tasks performed by individuals and teams to meet organizational goals, it is imperative to ensure that operators are cognitively ready to meet the demands of the operational environment. Cognitive readiness refers to the mental preparation (including knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes) an individual needs to establish and sustain competent performance in complex and unpredictable operational environments. In the past decade, the scientific research community has endeavored to optimize human performance in complex domains through a better understanding of the cognitive, behavioral, and attitudinal aspects of cognitive readiness at both the individual and the team level. The goal of this three-part special issue is to add to this growing body of work by presenting the latest advances in cognitive readiness research in terms of both theory development and practical applications across domains.