A work domain model to support shipboard command and control

IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 2005

This paper presents an application of work-domain analysis (WDA) to the domain of the command and control of a multipurpose naval frigate—the Canadian Halifax Class frigate. This represents an application of this approach to a real system and, to the authors' knowledge, is the most extensive WDA of a naval work domain. In particular, and in contrast to other applications of cognitive work analysis, the authors extended the basic WDA framework to handle a multipurpose, loosely bound work domain. In addition, the naval domain is value driven, and this affects naval decision making. Values were incorporated as a social organizational analysis into the work-domain model and were represented as a type of soft constraint. A total of 38 submodels of the work domain were developed, whose primary models are discussed in this paper. From these models, 132 information requirements were extracted, substantiating that WDA is a worthwhile technique for supporting interface design. This paper makes a theoretical contribution by extending the WDA framework and a practical contribution by demonstrating the usefulness of the framework in a real design context. This paper concentrates on presenting WDA as a process, not as a finished product, showing intermediate levels of models and the design requirements that can be extracted from the early stages of the WDA.

2006

In the last 2 decades, major changes in information technology have taken place. In process control, the ongoing automation and the application of new technologies caused a radical change in the position of the operator. Combined with manning constraints, and the ever increasing pressure to maximize the operational capability, navies stand for a huge challenge. Because of this new situation, operators need personalized support which can differ in time: the system should accommodate the user with the right task support at the right time. This paper presents the design and first user evaluation of an adaptive interface. A method for cognitive task analysis and 4 support concepts, which were validated for static function allocation and interface design, were taken as starting point. Specific instances of the resulting adaptive interface are the possibility to redirect the alarm (system or operator initiated), and the changing functional layout (e.g. buttons, alarm categories). A first user evaluation of the interface with 64 navy students shows promising results. The method for cognitive task analysis and the 4 support concepts prove to be useable for adaptive support as well. Evaluation shows very positive results on the support system, specifically on the task allocation functions.

Proceedings of the 31st European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL 2021), 2021

Implementation of multisource sensors combined with data analysis systems (e.g. machine learning) might provide new solutions for predictive maintenance to improve sociotechnical system reliability. The Seanatic project aims to develop a decision support tool to increase maintenance processes in the maritime field, considering limits and benefits of human factor expertise. Under this perspective, this paper describes the Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) approach for investigating new key functions that emerge in future maintenance sociotechnical systems. After phase one of the CWA was completed (WDA-Work Domain Analysis), the functions identified were used in the subsequent phases (ConTA-Control Task Analysis and SOCA-Social Organization and Cooperation Analysis) to highlight different implications for human cognitive activities. Realtime and prediction of machine breakdown of a vessel could be significantly reduced by assisting the chief engineer for supervision and planning activities. Based on a CWA approach, ecological design interfaces could support those activities.

Ship control systems continue to increase in degree of automation and complexity as crew sizes are decreasing. As a result, each operator/watchstander must be able to comprehend and respond to an ever increasing amount of available ship status and alert information. By using modern information and artificial intelligence technologies as a force multiplier, the human performance aboard ship can be increased dramatically. This paper will: 1) summarize current trends and efforts in increased automation and endeavors to improve shipboard situational awareness; 2) describe implementation of expert system based approaches that provide intelligent management of alarms and mission task conflict resolution; and 3) discuss options for optimizing the display of this information to crewmembers to enhance situational awareness. Various methods are discussed for improving the human understanding and cognition of the ship state, especially in emergency and damage control situations, including alar...

2012

Abstract: On one hand, an all-electric ship may take over and support operator tasks in order to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency on board of a ship. At the other hand, information processing demands seem to increase substantially for the operators in such a ship. Recently, a Cognitive Task Load analysis method was developed for the design of operator tasks and computer support, aiming at optimal load distributions during high-demand situations in current and future naval ships. This paper gives a brief overview of the method, presents results of a task load study in the Multi-purpose frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy, and summarises current user interface concepts that provide an “integrated view ” for supervision and damage control activities in an all-electric ship. Key-Words: Workload, supervision, human-computer interaction, cognitive engineering, task analysis, navy, ship control centre. 1

Technical crews on board of modern naval vessels need excellent support to maximize performance under a large variety of circumstances. The drive to save costs and reduce manning even increases the need for such support systems. Future Dutch naval ships include ship control centers which are manned depending on the status of ship and system. This new way of working not only sets new requirements for the technical system, but it also sets new requirements for the human operations and the corresponding operator capacities. This human aspect has been insufficiently addressed during all development and implementation phases of our current ships. 'Old' design and ship building methods, including the way industrial partners are involved, can't answer these questions completely. This paper presents a new cognitive engineering method, consisting of three important parts. The first part is the analysis of operational demands, human factor knowledge and envisioned technology. In the second part requirements are specified for the three mentioned areas of the first stage, using scenarios, claims and core functions. The third part consists of reviewing and testing to refine the requirements in iterative loops. The method has been applied and shows how it can improve ship design for two future Dutch ships.

Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part A: …, 2000

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2007

Application of more and more automation in process control shifts the operator's task from manual to supervisory control. Increasing system autonomy, complexity and information fluctuations make it extremely difficult to develop static support concepts that cover all critical situations after implementing the system. Therefore, support systems in dynamic domains should be dynamic as the domain itself. This paper elaborates on the state information needed from the operator to generate effective mitigation strategies. We describe implications of a real world experiment onboard three frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Although new techniques allow us to measure, combine and gain insight in physiological, subjective and task information, many practical issues need to be solved.

ECMS 2013 Proceedings edited by: Webjorn Rekdalsbakken, Robin T. Bye, Houxiang Zhang, 2013

Increasing offshore activity result in new, demanding marine operations. Risks increase as loads get heavier, installations move subsea, and activities move further North. Detailed planning is required, but current techniques make little use of information technology, with paper-based plan-work easily filling multiple binders. Information overload becomes an added threat. Two key challenges can be seen. One is to develop good planning frameworks, to enable plans with robust risk management and control. This calls for modelling techniques for operational plans. Another is optimal presentation of the plan for each individual crew member, both for briefing and during the execution of the operation. Ready access to relevant and safety critical information must be ensured. This calls for operational software to support situation-awareness. A fundamental necessity to tackle either challenge is a modelling framework supporting joint understanding of the operation between operational planners, ship crew, software engineers, and ultimately the support software. This paper shows how to amalgamate three different modelling approaches: HTA, SADT, and state machines. We also discuss how the resulting models can be used in operational support software. * The authors would like to thank Leiv Kåre Johannesen for helpful discussions around the sample operation, and also the anonymous referees for very constructive feedback.