Using Cognitive Task Analysis to Define Human Interface Requirements for First-of-A-Kind Systems

Cognitive task analysis (CTA) methods have grown out of the need to explicitly consider cognitive processing requirements of complex tasks. A number of approaches to CTA have been developed that vary in goals, the tools they bring to bear, and their data requirements. We present a particular CTA technique that we are utilizing in the design of new person-machine interfaces for first-of-a-kind advanced process control plants. The methodology has its roots in the formal analytic goal-means decomposition method pioneered by Rasmussen (1986). It contrasts with other approaches in that it is intended: (1) for design of first-of-a-kind systems for which there are no close existing analogues, precluding the use of CTA techniques that rely on empirical analysis of expert performance; (2) to define person-machine interface requirements to support operator problem-solving and decision-making in unanticipated situations; and (3) to be a pragmatic, codified, tool that can be used reliably by person-machine interface designers.

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A taxonomy of expert elevator and amusement device inspector knowledge

10.32920/ryerson.14651934 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Novak

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Task Analysis ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Cognitive Task Analysis ◽

Expert Performance ◽

Knowledge Capture ◽

Types Of Knowledge ◽

And Performance ◽

Further Development

This thesis presents a taxonomy of expert elevator and amusement device inspector knowledge that was developed using task and cognitive task analysis. While literature concerning research into quality control inspection exists, very little research has been performed into safety inspection. A qualitative study captured the knowledge used by elevator and amusement device inspection. The existence of expert performance in the elevator and amusement device inspection domains was identified and a taxonomy of expert inspector knowledge was created. This taxonomy was based on a model of knowledge that distinguishes between three types of knowledge - declarative, procedural, and strategic. Further development of this taxonomy, along with an effort to perform expert inspector knowledge capture, is expected to lead to improved inspector training and performance, and an increase in consistency between the inspections performed by all inspectors.

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Cog-C: A Tool for Estimating Cognitive Complexity and the Need for Cognitive Task Analysis

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129403801504 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 38 (15) ◽

pp. 943-943

Author(s):

Michael J. DeVries ◽

Sallie E. Gordon

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Processing ◽

Cognitive Complexity ◽

Task Analysis ◽

System Development ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Software Tool ◽

Cognitive Task Analysis ◽

Task Completion ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Relative Level

Task analysis is a methodology used during many different phases of system development. However, because many tasks involve complex cognitive processing, there is an increasing need for designers to perform cognitive task analysis. It is generally agreed that cognitive task analysis tends to be costly in terms of time and effort, and many designers ask how they would know when cognitive task analysis should be performed. This demonstration features a computer-based decision aid, Cog-C, to help designers answer this question. The software tool is based on the assumption that cognitive complexity is a major factor in determining when cognitive task analysis must be performed. The tool therefore helps the user determine the relative level of cognitive complexity for a set of tasks. It does this by (1) guiding the user in developing a task/subtask hierarchy, (2) guiding the subject matter expert in estimating the “amount” of various categories of knowledge required for subtask performance (e.g., concepts, rules, patterns, and strategies), and then (3) providing output including the number of steps required for task completion, standardized subscores showing the relative amounts of each knowledge category, an overall cognitive complexity score, and a general recommendation as to whether the task is a potential candidate for cognitive task analysis.

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Analysis, Redesign, and Evaluation of a Patient-Controlled Analgesia Machine Interface

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129503901105 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 39 (11) ◽

pp. 738-741 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Laura Lin ◽

Racquel Isla ◽

Karine Doniz ◽

Heather Harkness ◽

Kim J. Vicente ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Experimental Evaluation ◽

Task Analysis ◽

Medical Equipment ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Design Principles ◽

Cognitive Task Analysis ◽

Patient Controlled Analgesia ◽

Reliable Performance ◽

Machine Interface

The hypothesis explored in this paper is that, by adopting human factors design principles, the use of medical equipment can be made safer and more efficient We have selected a commercially available patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) machine as a vehicle to test this hypothesis. A cognitive task analysis of PCA usage, combined with a set of human factors design principles, led to a redesigned PCA interface. An experimental evaluation was conducted, comparing this new interface with the existing interface. The results show that the new interface leads to significantly faster, less effortful, and more reliable performance. These findings have implications for improving the design of other medical equipment.

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