Control Task Analysis Research Articles

Designing a Complex System of Coffee Shop by Using Cognitive Work Analysis to Evaluate the Operations

The development of coffee shop is increasing whether in Europe or Asia. The system in coffee shop are need to be improved as the human mobile are getting higher and people has no more time in waiting. The demand of consumer about coffee shop system is getting wider so that a system in it are need to be discuss. Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) is expected to outline parts in the system so that it can be extracted to analyze and evaluate the existing system. This tools is a method to analyze industrial complex system which is useful for industrial design. CWA are extracted into five phase which has different aims in each phase. The result of this research are produces seven function and five situation in control task analysis. In collecting the data, this research use brainstorming as qualitative method and found out four categories in WDA, seven categories in CTA, nine categories in WCA. The coffee shop system are need to be improved as the human mobile are getting higher and people has no more time in waiting. The customer demand about coffee shop system is getting vary so that an improvement are need to be discuss. Cognitive Work Analysis is expected to outline parts in the system so that it can be extracted to analyze and evaluate the existing system. This tools is a method to analyze industrial complex system which is useful for industrial design. The result of this research are produces seven function and five situation in control task analysis

A Task Complexity Analysis Method to Study the Emergency Situation under Automated Metro System.

System upgrades and team members interactions lead to changes in task structure. Therefore, in order to handle emergencies efficiently and safely, a comprehensive method of the traffic dispatching team task complexity (TDTTC) is proposed based on team cognitive work analysis (Team-CWA) and network feature analysis. The method comes from the perspective of the socio-technical system. Two stages were included in this method. In the first stage, four phases of Team-CWA, i.e., team work domain analysis, team control task analysis, team strategies analysis, and team worker competencies analysis, were applied in the qualitative analysis of TDTTC. Then in the second stage, a mapping process was established based on events and information cues. After the team task network was established, the characteristic indexes of node degree/average degree, average shortest path length, agglomeration coefficient, and overall network performance for TDTTC were extracted to analyze TDTTC quantitatively. The cases of tasks for screen door fault under grade of automation GOA1-GOA4 were compared. The results revealed that the more nodes and communication between nodes, the larger the network scale was, which would lead to the TDTTC being more complicated no matter what level of automation system it was under. This method is not only the exploration of cognitive engineering theory in the field of task complexity, but also the innovation of team task complexity in the development of automatic metro operation.

Technology in the emergency department: Using cognitive work analysis to model and design sustainable systems

Emergency Departments (EDs) are highly complex healthcare settings that must be resilient to unpredictable demands. New technologies are regularly introduced into EDs to improve patient care and workflow processes. However, the interaction between social and technical agents can introduce further complexity, making it difficult to identify the factors that influence the dynamic sustainability of interventions. This study aimed to demonstrate how the Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) Framework can be used to model and design sustainable social-technical ED systems. To identify workspaces, social, technical, and collaboration factors that can be used to design and implement contextually appropriate technologies into the ED, we applied Control Task Analysis (i.e., Contextual Activities Template, CAT), Social Organizational and Cooperation Analysis (SOCA), and Strategies Analysis (StrA) phases from the CWA Framework, developed and validated using data collected during 263 h of observation in a large metropolitan ED. Our models revealed workspaces within the ED that are heavily involved in both clinical and non-clinical tasks for nurses and doctors using a range of technology. Workspaces, technology, and roles that are over- or under- utilized create contextually sensitive opportunities for dispersing work. Application of CWA enables examination of the ongoing, dynamic relationship between technological interventions and context, which can support sustainability and inform future designs.

The scope for adaptive capacity in emergency departments: modelling performance constraints using control task analysis and social organisational cooperation analysis

Patient flow between the emergency department (ED) and hospital wards becomes problematic when bed availability is limited. To better understand the constraints that shape patient flow and everyday work in the ED, we applied Control Task Analysis (i.e. Contextual Activities Template, CAT) and Social Organisational Cooperation Analysis (SOCA) phases from the Cognitive Work Analysis framework to identify ways in which to optimise patient flow. The model and analysis were created through observations in the ED of clinicians (e.g. nurses, doctors), and professional staff (e.g. ward personnel, clerks). The CAT and SOCA-CAT models illustrate workspaces, patient journey phases, and patient volume within the department that are heavily loaded with tasks and human and non-human agents performing these tasks, while others are underutilised. The findings suggest that an ED’s adaptive capacity could be strengthened through the integration of additional human and non-human agents allowing the redistribution of clinical and non-clinical tasks. Practitioner Summary: Workflow in EDs is constrained by uneven geographical distribution of activities, insufficient adaptive support during critical patient journey phases and periods of high patient volume. Adaptive capacity could be strengthened by additional human and non-human agents in combination with a redistribution of tasks, supporting seamless successful structural and behavioural adaptation in ED.

Sharing lessons learnt: Reflections on a novel approach to developing the contextual activity template

AbstractIntroductionThere have been few published applications of the second phase of Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA), Control Task Analysis, particularly the Contextual Activity Template (CAT). The current study aimed to share lessons learnt from utilizing an online survey as a novel approach to development of a CAT. The application domain was sport, specifically football goalkeeping. A secondary aim was to apply the CAT to the goalkeeping role and gain the perceptions of both goalkeeping coaches and players on the functions and situations specific to a goalkeeper during match‐play.MethodsTen SMEs with high‐level expertize in goalkeeping coaching and/or playing participated in an online survey including a series of demographic, Likert scale and open‐ended questions regarding goalkeeper specific functions and match‐play situations. Eight goalkeeper match‐play situations and 18 specific functions were included.ResultsA CAT model was created demonstrating the match‐play situations where specific goalkeeper functions occur. Three function groupings were identified: broad (six or more functions), moderate (between three and five functions), and specific (below three functions).DiscussionUtilizing online surveys to develop a CAT model is a novel approach within the Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) literature. Further, the CAT represents a first of its kind analysis in the football performance literature. Strengths and limitations of using online surveys for the development of a CAT are discussed. In conclusion, the work suggests flexible approaches can be used to develop HFE models.

Combining cognitive work analysis and empirical evaluations to understand map use by operators of small carry-on unmanned aerial systems

Operating a small carry-on unmanned aerial system (UAS) alone is challenging. Research on facilitating single-operator work has focused mainly on payload operation and health monitoring. Little focus has been given to mission-related aspects and how the command and control (C2) map display contributes to mission accomplishment. This study uses cognitive work analysis (CWA) to describe the operational work of the mission operator of a Skylark miniature UAS system. Three CWA phases were conducted – work domain analysis, control task analysis and strategy analysis – providing a rich framework of operational mission phases, task components, processes and the physical interface-objects in use. These representations highlight the operators' extensive use of the C2 map during all mission phases, for all object-related processes. To further enhance the outcomes of the CWA, and prior to outlining specific design requirements, an empirical investigation was conducted in which the eye movements of five experienced operators were obtained during a simulated mission. The empirical results confirm and further specify the work patterns that operators adopt. Quantitative analysis shows operators’ extensive focus on the map, especially during mission-critical phases. These analyses led to the conclusion that a significant change in the way operators interact with the C2 map, or alternative designs to enhance map-based information utilization, should be applied. Insights drawn from this analysis can be applied to other aerial surveillance work domains, and adding empirical evaluations is helpful to further refine and reinforce the CWA outcomes.

Cognitive Work Analysis to Comprehend Operations in Self Check-in Counter

Self service check-in is a new service that has been given by the airlines for passenger. This service is able to minimize the use of manpower in the airport and reduce the time consuming for passenger to do the requirement before flying. Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) is expected to extract the phases and explore the parts that implied to the system. CWA is a method to analyse an industrial complex system which is useful for industrial design. CWA divided into five stages which outlined different function in each stages those are work domain analysis, control task analysis, strategies analysis, social organization and cooperation analysis, and worker competencies analysis. This research used brainstorming as qualitative method and got several results such as there are five categories that implied in the WDA, five categories involved on CTA, seven categories on SOCA, and nine categories implied on WCA.

Cognitive Systems Engineering Applied to Decision Support in Space Situational Awareness

Existing approaches for sensor network tasking in space situational awareness (SSA) rely on techniques from the 1950s and limited application areas while also requiring significant human-in-the-loop involvement. Increasing numbers of space objects, sensors, and decision-making needs create a demand for improved methods of gathering and fusing disparate information to resolve hypotheses about the space object environment. This work focuses on the cognitive work in SSA sensor tasking approaches. The application of a cognitive work analysis for the SSA domain highlights capabilities and constraints inherent to the domain that can drive SSA operations toward decision-maker goals. A control task analysis is also conducted to derive requirements for cognitive work and information relationships that support the information fusion and sensor allocation tasks of SSA. A prototype decision-support system is developed using a subset of the derived requirements. This prototype is evaluated in a human-in-the-loop experiment using both a hypothesis-based and covariance-based scheduling approaches. Results from this preliminary evaluation show operator ability to address SSA decision-maker hypotheses using the prototype decision-support system (DSS) using both scheduling approaches.

Modelling and supporting flight crew decision-making during aircraft engine malfunctions: developing design recommendations from cognitive work analysis

In this article, we analyse flight crew response to an in-flight powerplant system malfunction (PSM) using control task analysis. We demonstrate the application of the decision ladder template and the skills, rules, and knowledge (SRK) framework to this new area of inquiry. Despite the high reliability of turbofan engines, accidents and incidents involving PSM still occur. During these unusual events, flight crew have not always responded appropriately, leading to a reduction in safety margins or disruption of operations. This article proposes recommendations for technological and information system that can support flight crew in responding safely and appropriately to a PSM. These recommendations focus on new ways in which information from engine health monitoring system and other sources of data can be utilised and displayed. Firstly, we conducted knowledge elicitation using Critical Decision Method (CDM) interviews with airline pilots who have experienced real or simulated PSM events. We then developed generic decision ladders using the interview data, operations manual, training manual, and other guideline documents. The generic decision ladders characterise the different stages of responding to PSM identified as part of the research. These stages include: regaining and maintaining control of aircraft, identifying PSM and selecting appropriate checklists to secure the engine, and modifying the flight plan. Using the decision ladders and insights from the CDM interviews, we were able to identify cognitive processes and states that are more prone to errors and therefore more likely to generate an inappropriate response. Using the SRK framework, we propose design recommendations for technological and information systems to minimise the likelihood of such inappropriate response. We conclude that this combination of methods provides a structured and reliable approach to identifying system improvements in complex and dynamic work situations. Our specific contributions are the application of these techniques in the unrepresented area of flight operations, and the development of evidence-based design recommendations to improve flight crew response to in-flight powerplant system malfunctions.

Evaluating the reduced flight deck crew concept using cognitive work analysis and social network analysis: comparing normal and data-link outage scenarios

The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate how a subset of methods from Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) in combination with Social Network Analysis (SNA) can be used to analyse the effects of a reduced crew in a legacy system of a commercial airliner’s two-pilot-crew operations. Whereas existing research approaches have used different methodological approaches such as classical workload evaluations, we focus on social organisation and cooperation at early conceptual design stages. A case study of Reduced-Crew Operations (RCO) in commercial aviation highlights how Work Domain Analysis, Control Task Analysis and Social Organization and Cooperation Analysis were applied to allocate functions and identify future automation requirements. Furthermore, the SNA shows the possible interactions in future RCO. The effect of technological failure on the network architecture’s resilience is also explored. A proposal on how to react to a data-link outage and break-up in RCO is made with respect to limitations in technology. In this way, the work can foster identifying automation requirements and related possible failures at early stages in the design process.

Toward production operator 4.0: modelling Human-Machine Cooperation in Industry 4.0 with Cognitive Work Analysis

The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies must consider the place of the operator in the production. In this paper, we adopt a human-machine cooperation perspective for modelling operator 4.0 in industrial systems. Our approach is supported by Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) method. We used three phases of the CWA: Work Domain Analysis (WDA), Control Task Analysis (ConTA), and Social Organization and Cooperation Analysis (SOCA), to model the functional and cognitive constraints as well as the function allocation. The paper especially uses two modeling tools - Abstraction Hierarchy and Decision Ladder - that could support the positioning and the design of Technology 4.0-based assistance systems. This model is applied to the specific activity of orders picking. This activity integrates both function of planning and organization of the different production lots and these functions can be shared between order picker 4.0 and specific Industry 4.0 technologies.

Decision Support System Requirements Definition for Human Extravehicular Activity Based on Cognitive Work Analysis.

The design and adoption of decision support systems within complex work domains is a challenge for cognitive systems engineering (CSE) practitioners, particularly at the onset of project development. This article presents an example of applying CSE techniques to derive design requirements compatible with traditional systems engineering to guide decision support system development. Specifically, it demonstrates the requirements derivation process based on cognitive work analysis for a subset of human spaceflight operations known as extravehicular activity. The results are presented in two phases. First, a work domain analysis revealed a comprehensive set of work functions and constraints that exist in the extravehicular activity work domain. Second, a control task analysis was performed on a subset of the work functions identified by the work domain analysis to articulate the translation of subject matter states of knowledge to high-level decision support system requirements. This work emphasizes an incremental requirements specification process as a critical component of CSE analyses to better situate CSE perspectives within the early phases of traditional systems engineering design.

Activity Prioritization to Focus the Control Task Analysis

We describe a structured method for decreasing the gap between cognitive work analysis (CWA) and sociotechnical systems design within industrial contexts. Key to closing this gap is reducing the volume of data collected during initial CWA stages so as to focus further development effort on the key determinants of system performance. The goal of the current study was to develop a method to accompany control task analysis (ConTA; and associated contextual activity templates [CATs]). The method developed, “activity prioritization,” involved a multifaceted procedure for prioritizing activities to identify each activity’s overall impact on system performance. Using three key values, each activity receives a priority score that is ordered to create an activity priority list. For the prioritization, the functions described in the CAT were the purpose-related functions identified via a work domain analysis of long haulage trucking. The method described was used to guide development of highly automated trucks within a recently completed industrial project (methods for designing future autonomous systems [MODAS]).

Study on a new framework of Human Reliability Analysis to evaluate soft control execution error in advanced MCRs of NPPs

Since the Three Mile Island (TMI)-2 accident, human error has been recognized as one of the main causes of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accidents, and numerous studies related to Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) have been carried out. Most of these methods were developed considering the conventional type of Main Control Rooms (MCRs). However, the operating environment of MCRs in NPPs has changed with the adoption of new Human-System Interfaces (HSIs) that are based on computer-based technologies. The MCRs that include these digital technologies, such as large display panels, computerized procedures, and soft controls, are called advanced MCRs. Among the many features of advanced MCRs, soft controls are a particularly important feature because operating actions in NPP advanced MCRs are performed by soft control. Due to the differences in interfaces between soft control and hardwired conventional type control, different Human Error Probabilities (HEPs) and a new HRA framework should be considered in the HRA for advanced MCRs.To this end, a new framework of a HRA method for evaluating soft control execution human error is suggested by performing a soft control task analysis and the literature regarding widely accepted human error taxonomies is reviewed. Moreover, since most current HRA databases deal with operation in conventional MCRs and are not explicitly designed to deal with digital HSIs, empirical analysis of human error and error recovery considering soft controls under an advanced MCR mockup are carried out to collect human error data, which is essential to estimate the final HEP using the proposed framework of the HRA method. Finally, final HEPs in advanced MCRs are estimated by integrating the suggested HRA framework, and a nominal HEP and recovery failure probability database developed from empirical studies.

Representing energy efficiency diagnosis strategies in cognitive work analysis

This article describes challenges encountered in applying Jens Rasmussen's Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) framework to the practice of energy efficiency Monitoring & Targeting (M&T). Eight theoretic issues encountered in the analysis are described with respect to Rasmussen's work and the modeling solutions we adopted. We grappled with how to usefully apply Work Domain Analysis (WDA) to analyze categories of domains with secondary purposes and no ideal grain of decomposition. This difficulty encouraged us to pursue Control Task (ConTA) and Strategies (StrA) analysis, which are under-explored as bases for interface design. In ConTA we found M&T was best represented by two interlinked work functions; one controlling energy, the other maintaining knowledge representations. From StrA, we identified a popular representation-dependent strategy and inferred information required to diagnose faults in system performance and knowledge representation. This article presents and discusses excerpts from our analysis, and outlines their application to diagnosis support tools.

Supporting Industrial Uptake of Cognitive Work Analysis

As part of a broader industrial project, the first two stages of a Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA, Work Domain Analysis [WDA] and Control Task Analysis [ConTA]) were completed for Long Haul Commercial Road Transport. To support the potential uptake of CWA by different stakeholders within the industrial organization, parts of the ConTA Contextual Activity Template (CAT) were truncated. The goal of the current, exploratory study, was to identify which stakeholders within the industrial organization could benefit from using the WDA or CAT for either their Strategic (Research) or Product (Development) planning, and over what time horizon. We observed differences in the perceived usefulness of the WDA and the CAT between the different stakeholders. Innovative solutions to the issues raised should significantly enhance the industrial use of Cognitive Work Analysis.

A structured approach to the strategies analysis phase of cognitive work analysis

Cognitive work analysis is a widely applied method within Ergonomics. To date applications have primarily focused on the first two stages of the method – Work Domain Analysis and Control Task Analysis. Compared to the initial stages, the latter stages have been relatively neglected and are consequently not as well developed methodologically. This paper proposes a new approach for the third phase, strategies analysis, which builds upon the output of the earlier phases and provides a formative structured method for identifying potential strategies to complete control tasks. An Apple iPod is used to exemplify and evaluate the proposed approach. Future directions include validation of the approach with more complex systems.

How a submarine returns to periscope depth: Analysing complex socio-technical systems using Cognitive Work Analysis

This paper presents the application of Cognitive Work Analysis to the description of the functions, situations, activities, decisions, strategies, and competencies of a Trafalgar class submarine when performing the function of returning to periscope depth. All five phases of Cognitive Work Analysis are presented, namely: Work Domain Analysis, Control Task Analysis, Strategies Analysis, Social Organisation and Cooperation Analysis, and Worker Competencies Analysis. Complex socio-technical systems are difficult to analyse but Cognitive Work Analysis offers an integrated way of analysing complex systems with the core of functional means-ends analysis underlying all of the other representations. The joined-up analysis offers a coherent framework for understanding how socio-technical systems work. Data were collected through observation and interviews at different sites across the UK. The resultant representations present a statement of how the work domain and current activities are configured in this complex socio-technical system. This is intended to provide a baseline, from which all future conceptions of the domain may be compared. The strength of the analysis is in the multiple representations from which the constraints acting on the work may be analysed. Future research needs to challenge the assumptions behind these constraints in order to develop new ways of working.

What are they doing: testing a structured cognitive work analysis-based approach for identifying different road user strategies

Cognitive Work Analysis has been widely applied within Human Factors to develop and evaluate complex sociotechnical systems. To date, however research has focused primarily on the first two phases of the framework – Work Domain Analysis and Control Task Analysis. Recently, a new approach, the Strategies Analysis Diagram, has been proposed as a structured approach to the third phase - Strategies Analysis. This paper evaluates the Strategies Analysis Diagram with a complex sociotechnical system, road transport. The results suggest the Strategies Analysis Diagram is capable of describing the range of potential strategies employed when different road users (e.g. drivers, motorcycle riders, cyclists and pedestrians) execute a right hand turn at an intersection. The strategies identified provide what appears to be a comprehensive overview of those employed by different road users. The analysis also identified differences in strategies for a particular function as well as differences in strategies between road user groups.

Team Cognitive Work Analysis

Today’s complex sociotechnical systems involve more than just single operators and often include rich team interactions. In this article, the authors explore cognitive work analysis (CWA), a method typically used for deriving design requirements to support single operators, and rework this methodology into a version that is intended to show requirements required to support successful team collaboration. Team-suitable approaches are presented for the first two steps of CWA, work domain analysis and control task analysis. These approaches are collected from past attempts to model teams with CWA and two new teamwork visualizations, collaboration tables and decision wheels. The applicability of the extended models is demonstrated with a health care example.