Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An exploratory study: a measure of workload associated with teamwork

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Cognition, Technology & Work Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Team workload, which is usually described as an index of the ratio of available team resources to task demands, is believed to be critical for optimal human–computer integration. Although research conceptualizing team workload suggests that the measurement of team workload should consider workload unique to the team, the sum/min/max of members’ workload associated with taskwork referring to individual task performance is often used as an indicator of team workload. In order to better assess workload in team performance in which more than two individuals cooperate and conduct a task, it is also necessary to assess members’ workload associated with teamwork that refers to interpersonal interactions among individuals. The present study aims to develop a measure of workload associated with teamwork and discuss its contribution to operationalizing team workload. Results of team experiments indicate that the Teamwork Workload Scale is able to assess workload associated with teamwork and that it is necessary to assess both workload associated with taskwork and teamwork in order to better assess workload in team performance and operationalize team workload. In order to operationalize and measure team workload, it is necessary to investigate workload in team performance using quantitative data.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bedwell WL, Salas E, Funke GJ, Knott BA (2014) Team workload: a multilevel perspective. Organ Psychol Rev 4(2):99–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonner MA, Wilson GF (2002) Heart rate measures of flight test and evaluation. Int J Aviat Psychol 12(1):63–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowers CA, Jentsch F (2005) Team workload. In: Stanton N, Hedge A, Brookhuis K, Salas E, Hendrick H (eds) Handbook of human factors and ergonomic methods. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 57-1–57-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowers C, Braun C, Morgan B (1997) Team workload: Its meaning and measurement. In: Brannick MT, Salas E, Prince C (eds) Team performance assessment and measurement: Theory, methods, and applications. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, pp 85–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Byers JC, Bittner AC, Hill SG (1989) Traditional and raw task load index (TLX) correlations: are paired comparisons necessary? In: Mital A (ed) Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety, I. Taylor & Francis, London, pp 481–485

    Google Scholar 

  • De Waard D, Lewis-Evans B (2014) Self-report scales alone cannot capture mental workload. Cogn Technol Work 16:303–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Winter JCF (2014) Controversy in human factors constructs and the explosive use of the NASA-TLX: a measurement perspective. Cogn Technol Work 16:289–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Winter JCF, Dodou D, Wieringa PA (2009) Exploratory factor analysis with small sample sizes. Multivar Behav Res 44(2):147–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Funke GJ, Knott BA, Salas E, Pavlas D, Strang AJ (2012) Conceptualization and Measurement of Team Workload A Critical Need. Hum Factors J Hum Factors Ergon Soc 54(1):36–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart SG (2006) NASA-task load index (NASA-TLX); 20 years later. In: Proceedings of the human factors and ergonomics society annual meeting, vol 50, no. 9. Sage Publications, Beverley Hills, pp 904–908

  • Hart SG, Staveland LE (1988) Development of NASA-TLX (Task Load Index): results of empirical and theoretical research. Adv Psychol 52:139–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henson RK, Roberts JK (2006) Use of exploratory factor analysis in published research common errors and some comment on improved practice. Educ Psychol Measur 66:393–416

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey SE, Aime F (2014) Team microdynamics: toward an organizing approach to teamwork. Acad Manag Ann 8(1):443–503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knott CC, Nelson WT, McCroskey MK, Miller BT (2008) Analysis of eye movements in change detection with teams using a simulated tactical situation display (Rep. No. AFRL-RH-WP-TR-20 09-0097, Air Force Research Laboratory). Defense Technical Information Center, Washington, DC

  • Kok A (1997) Event-related-potential (ERP) reflections of mental resources: a review and synthesis. Biol Psychol 45(1):19–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lean Y, Shan F (2012) Brief review on physiological and biochemical evaluations of human mental workload. Hum Factors Ergon Manuf Serv Ind 22(3):177–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin CJ, Hsieh TL, Tsai PJ, Yang CW, Yenn TC (2011) Development of a team workload assessment technique for the main control room of advanced nuclear power plants. Hum Factors Ergon Manuf Serv Ind 21(4):397–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loft S, Sanderson P, Neal A, Mooij M (2007) Modeling and predicting mental workload in en route air traffic control: critical review and broader implications. Hum Factors J Hum Factors Ergon Soc 49(3):376–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacCallum RC, Widaman KF, Zhang S, Hong S (1999) Sample size in factor analysis. Psychol Methods 4(1):84–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martens M, Van Winsum W (2001) Effects of speech versus tactile driver support messages on driving behavior and workload. SAE technical papers, 06-0080

  • Morgan BB Jr, Salas E, Glickman AS (1993) An analysis of team evolution and maturation. J Gen Psychol 120(3):277–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris R, MacNeela P, Scott A, Treacy P, Hyde A (2007) Reconsidering the conceptualization of nursing workload: literature review. J Adv Nurs 57(5):463–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pharmer J, Cropper K, McKneely J, Williams E (2004) Tactical Tomahawk weapon control system V6 land attack combat system prototype human-computer interface: test report for FY 03 fleet operability test (Tech. Rep. No. 3184). Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, CA

  • Reid GB, Nygren TE (1988) The subjective workload assessment technique: a scaling procedure for measuring mental workload. Adv Psychol 52:185–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salas E, Sims DE, Burke CS (2005) Is there a “Big Five” in teamwork? Small Group Res 36(5):555–599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salas E, Cooke NJ, Rosen MA (2008) On teams, teamwork, and team performance: discoveries and developments. Hum Factors J Hum Factors Ergon Soc 50(3):540–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsang PS, Vidulich MA (2006) Mental workload and situation awareness. In: Salvendy (ed) Handbook of human factors and ergonomics, 3rd edn. Wiley, Hoboken, pp 243–268

  • Urban JM, Weaver JL, Bowers CA, Rhodenizer L (1996) Effects of workload and structure on team processes and performance: implications for complex team decision making. Hum Factors 38:300–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verwey WB (2000) On-line driver workload estimation. Effects of road situation and age on secondary task measures. Ergonomics 43(2):187–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young MS, Brookhuis KA, Wickens CD, Hancock PA (2015) State of science: mental workload in ergonomics. Ergonomics 58(1):1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Kohei Nonose

    Present address: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Chiyoda-ku, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University, Tokyo, Japan

    Kohei Nonose, Yuki Yoda, Taro Kanno & Kazuo Furuta

Authors
  1. Kohei Nonose
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuki Yoda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Taro Kanno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kazuo Furuta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kohei Nonose.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nonose, K., Yoda, Y., Kanno, T. et al. An exploratory study: a measure of workload associated with teamwork. Cogn Tech Work 18, 351–360 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-015-0363-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-015-0363-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation