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Research

Cognitive Work Analysis is a framework for the analysis, design, and evaluation of complex sociotechnical systems. The aim of this approach is to help workers to cope with changing and unanticipated work demands, since these situations pose the greatest threat to system performance and safety. In these circumstances, workers cannot rely on pre-planned work procedures for dealing with routine or typical events. Instead, flexible behaviour and problem-solving skills are required in order to manage the evolving situation. Rather than analysing the specific sequences of behaviour that occur during routine or typical events, Cognitive Work Analysis therefore identifies the boundary conditions or constraints that shape workers' behaviour in the first place. Within these constraints, workers can form many different work patterns for dealing with a wide variety of situations. Cognitive Work Analysis is therefore well suited to the design of flexible systems that will support workers in maintaining system performance and safety during changing and unanticipated events.

As there are several kinds of constraints that can shape workers' behaviour, a number of dimensions of analysis are necessary. The five phases of Cognitive Work Analysis focus on different types of boundary conditions or constraints.

1. Work Domain Analysis identifies the high-level purposes, values and priorities, functions, and physical resources of a system.
2. Control Task Analysis focuses on the problem-solving or decision-making activity that is required in the work domain.
3. Strategies Analysis identifies the different ways in which this activity or work can be accomplished.
4. Socio-Organisational and Cooperation Analysis focuses on how the work is coordinated and distributed.
5. Worker Competencies Analysis identifies the competencies required by workers to perform this work effectively.

Cognitive Work Analysis has been used for the design of ecological interfaces in domains such as nuclear power plants, aviation, network management, the military and medicine. The Centre for CWSA has also extended the application of Cognitive Work Analysis to system acquisition, team design, training, and safety.

Useful references:

• Rasmussen, J., Pejtersen, A., & Goodstein, L. P. (1994). Cognitive systems engineering. New York: Wiley.
  (This text provides a comprehensive description of Cognitive Work Analysis as Jens Rasmussen and his colleagues have developed it)
  
  
• Vicente, K. J. (1999). Cognitive work analysis: Toward safe, productive, and healthy computer-based work. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
  (This text provides a pedagogic introduction to Cognitive Work Analysis)