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How a submarine returns to periscope depth: analysing complex socio-technical systems using Cognitive Work Analysis

How a submarine returns to periscope depth: analysing complex socio-technical systems using Cognitive Work Analysis
How a submarine returns to periscope depth: analysing complex socio-technical systems using Cognitive Work Analysis
This paper presents the application of Cognitive Work Analysis to the description of the functions, situations, activities, decisions, strategies, and competencies of a Trafalgar class submarine when performing the function of returning to periscope depth. All five phases of Cognitive Work Analysis are presented, namely: Work Domain Analysis, Control Task Analysis, Strategies Analysis, Social Organisation and Cooperation Analysis, and Worker Competencies Analysis. Complex socio-technical systems are difficult to analyse but Cognitive Work Analysis offers an integrated way of analysing complex systems with the core of functional means-ends analysis underlying all of the other representations. The joined-up analysis offers a coherent framework for understanding how socio-technical systems work. Data were collected through observation and interviews at different sites across the UK. The resultant representations present a statement of how the work domain and current activities are configured in this complex socio-technical system. This is intended to provide a baseline, from which all future conceptions of the domain may be compared. The strength of the analysis is in the multiple representations from which the constraints acting on the work may be analysed. Future research needs to challenge the assumptions behind these constraints in order to develop new ways of working.
cognitive work analysis, socio-technical systems, submarine, team work
0003-6870
110-25
Stanton, Neville A.
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd
Bessell, Kevin
de5f2d84-19ff-4a0f-9c06-2f04e007ca99
Stanton, Neville A.
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd
Bessell, Kevin
de5f2d84-19ff-4a0f-9c06-2f04e007ca99

Stanton, Neville A. and Bessell, Kevin (2014) How a submarine returns to periscope depth: analysing complex socio-technical systems using Cognitive Work Analysis. [in special issue: Systems Ergonomics/Human Factors] Applied Ergonomics, 45 (1), 110-25. (doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2013.04.022). (PMID:23702259)

Record type: Article

Abstract

This paper presents the application of Cognitive Work Analysis to the description of the functions, situations, activities, decisions, strategies, and competencies of a Trafalgar class submarine when performing the function of returning to periscope depth. All five phases of Cognitive Work Analysis are presented, namely: Work Domain Analysis, Control Task Analysis, Strategies Analysis, Social Organisation and Cooperation Analysis, and Worker Competencies Analysis. Complex socio-technical systems are difficult to analyse but Cognitive Work Analysis offers an integrated way of analysing complex systems with the core of functional means-ends analysis underlying all of the other representations. The joined-up analysis offers a coherent framework for understanding how socio-technical systems work. Data were collected through observation and interviews at different sites across the UK. The resultant representations present a statement of how the work domain and current activities are configured in this complex socio-technical system. This is intended to provide a baseline, from which all future conceptions of the domain may be compared. The strength of the analysis is in the multiple representations from which the constraints acting on the work may be analysed. Future research needs to challenge the assumptions behind these constraints in order to develop new ways of working.

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e-pub ahead of print date: 20 May 2013
Published date: January 2014
Keywords: cognitive work analysis, socio-technical systems, submarine, team work
Organisations: Civil Maritime & Env. Eng & Sci Unit

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 364638
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/364638
ISSN: 0003-6870
PURE UUID: f0361bc6-d52a-4476-a790-475b4d40e3a1
ORCID for Neville A. Stanton: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8562-3279

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Date deposited: 07 May 2014 10:43
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:33

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Author: Kevin Bessell

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