A Work-Centred Approach to Seeding the Development of Design Concepts to Support Shipboard Command and Control
Abstract
We present results from an ongoing investigation using a work-centred framework to design computer-based tools to support the cognitive and collaborative work of Command Teams on a HALIFAX Class frigate. Based on emerging concepts in Cognitive Systems Engineering, the design approach hinges on analyzing the operators work demands and finding ways to use technology to improve the performance of the joint cognitive system of operators and their aids. Specifically, we describe our use of two work-modeling tools within the framework that contribute to developing a traceable design thread, directly linking knowledge elicitation and work analysis outputs to specific design hypotheses for supporting the work demands of Command and Control operators. The two tools are drawn from Rasmussen and Vicente's Cognitive Work Analysis framework. The first is an Abstraction-Decomposition Space. It uses an Abstraction Hierarchy to describe how the functional purposes of the work domain are achieved. There is also a Part-Whole Hierarchy that decomposes the work domain into components that contribute to achieving those purposes. The second tool is a set of decision ladders representing the information processing and knowledge states of operators in conducting control tasks. We also briefly illustrate one interface concept that was derived with the approach.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA464146
Entities
People
- Bruce A. Chalmers
- Tab Lamoureux
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada