Theoretical Basis for Workload Assessment Research at NASA-Ames Research Center,
Abstract
There are many factors associated with the term workload as it is usually applied that each exist independently and can be analyzed as such most profitably. Task demands are just that -- task demands. No additional meaning or value can be associated with remaining this factor workload . Physical effort and emotional stress are also independent, unique entities that can each be measured by specific and unique assessment techniques, but again neither is synonomous with workload per se. Performance is also an independent, important entity, but again it is not workload . Measures of performance are most relevant to determining how successful an individual was in meeting task demands but do not reflect how hard he worked, what his expectations were, his stress level, the time pressure felt, and so on. The one factor that does reflect the effect of all these factors on ech individual is the subjective experience of workload. If an individual feels loaded, he or she is. This may be the only factor in the constellation of elements variously called workload that is purely workload and nothing else. This subjective experience is obviously derived from the other factors --task demands, success in meeting demands, effort, but it is the product of a weighting process that may be unique to each individual. The weights or importance that each individual places on the various elements that may affect his experience of workload may differ from person to person, although they should be fairly consistent within an individual. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADP001150
Entities
People
- Sandra G. Hart
Organizations
- Ames Research Center