Showing papers by "Erik Hollnagel published in 2000"

Principles for modelling function allocation

Abstract: Automation is the key element in safety, reliability of industrial processes. Selecting the right type and level of automation requires careful consideration of how to allocate tasks between operators and automation. This is important in order that the joint system, human and machine as seen together, perform in the intended manner. The Halden Reactor Project is currently engaged in a project to study this topic, with an emphasis on maximizing the operator's ability to maintain control and handle unexpected events. Functional models can be used to study this in a process control environment, because they explicitly describe the functions that must be provided by the process or the operator. This paper describes how functional modelling of the joint system can be used to provide a basis for how functions should be allocated.

Modelling the orderliness of human action

Abstract: Although cognitive engineering has gained widespread acceptance as one of the most promising approaches to addressing and preventing difficulties with human-machine coordination and collaboration, it still meets with considerable skepticism and resistance in some of the industries that could benefit from its insights and recommendations. The challenge for cognitive engineers is to better understand the reasons underlying these reservations and to overcome them by demonstrating and communicating more effectively their concepts, approaches, and proposed solutions. To contribute to this goal, the current volume presents concrete examples of cognitive engineering research and design. It is an attempt to complement the already existing excellent literature on cognitive engineering in domains other than aviation and to introduce professionals and students in a variety of domains to this rather young discipline.

Models of Cognition and the Power to Predict

Abstract: In the academic pursuit of modelling of cognition, or of performance types such as decision making the emphasis is on the scientific sense where models are used to achieve a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. In the practical pursuit of modelling primarily for the design of interactive a&facts it may be more appropriate to use models in the engineering or cybernetic sense. The differences are important both because there is a need of communicating with others and because of the implications for how the model can be applied. More specifically, a distinction should be made between modelling performance and modelling cognition. Although human performance in viva is intrinsically coupled to cognition, it may not be necessary to maintain the same coupling in vitro. In other words, models of human performance need not be models of human cognition.

Analysis and prediction of failures in complex systems: Models & methods

Abstract: The following text is a slightly revised version of the outline submitted for the Workshop on “Human Error and System Design and Management”, that was held on 24–26 March 1999 in Clausthal, Germany. The text was never written with the intention of providing a comprehensive and detailed presentation of the models and methods that are applied in failure research, but rather as a short outline of the main issues. It is therefore in this vein that it should be read.