Cognitive task analysis: harmonizing tasks to human capacities

This paper presents the development of a cognitive task analysis that assesses the task load of jobs and provides indicators for the redesign of jobs. General principles of human task performance were selected and, subsequently, integrated into current task modelling techniques. The resulting cognit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ergonomics 1996-04, Vol.39 (4), p.543-561
Main Authors: NEERINCX, MARK A., GRIFFIOEN, EDWIN
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cognition
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive processes
Ergonomics. Human factors
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Mental load
Occupational psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Railroads
Railways
Space life sciences
Task analysis
Task Performance and Analysis
Traffic control
Workload
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Summary:This paper presents the development of a cognitive task analysis that assesses the task load of jobs and provides indicators for the redesign of jobs. General principles of human task performance were selected and, subsequently, integrated into current task modelling techniques. The resulting cognitive task analysis centres around four aspects of task load: the number of actions in a period, the ratio between knowledge- and rule-based actions, lengthy uninterrupted actions, and momentary overloading. The method consists of three stages: (1) construction of a hierarchical task model, (2) a time-line analysis and task load assessment, and (3), if necessary, adjustment of the task model. An application of the cognitive task analysis in railway traffic control showed its benefits over the 'old' task load analysis of the Netherlands Railways. It provided a provisional standard for traffic control jobs, conveyed two load risks-momentary overloading and underloading-and resulted in proposals to satisfy the standard and to diminish the two load risk.
ISSN:0014-0139
1366-5847
DOI:10.1080/00140139608964480