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Incorporating multiple patterns of activity into the design of cognitive work support systems

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Abstract

The design of support systems for cognitive work needs to account for the different patterns of activity resulting from changes in context. The contextual control modes from Hollnagel’s model of control are presented as a suitable framework to describe these patterns and to identify the implications for design of support systems. The design and evaluation of a prototype support system for airline operations is used as a case study in supporting multiple cognitive control modes. The evaluation of the prototype with experts illustrated clear and distinguishable changes in the patterns of activity in different contextual control modes. Notably, different designs were demonstrated to support particular contextual control modes and to disrupt cognitive activity in contextual control modes which they were not intended to support.

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Notes

  1. The amount of time allowable to resolve the problem, which may be assessed relative to the time required to resolve the problem.

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  1. Georgia Institute of Technology, 270 Ferst Dr., Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    Karen M. Feigh

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  1. Karen M. Feigh
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Correspondence to Karen M. Feigh.

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Feigh, K.M. Incorporating multiple patterns of activity into the design of cognitive work support systems. Cogn Tech Work 13, 259–279 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-010-0165-0

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