Forgotten Alternatives in Skill and Work-load

Abstract

This paper suggests that the nature of process control skill lies in the changed decision making made possible with increased knowledge of process behaviour. During learning, feedback about process output indicates that the process needs correcting, and also that the operator must adjust his choice of action. An experienced operator knows the correct error-action alignment, so has less need to check and correct both the process and his own behaviour. He has a lower work-load and a larger task capacity. Choice of appropriate control actions requires knowledge of the effects of his own behaviour as well as that of the process, and assessment of the task context, If behaviour is chosen to maintain the operator's mental and physical state, as well as to maintain the process, this requires further knowledge about his own potential behaviour, his internal state, and criteria for acceptability of his own state. High task demands may lead to performance breakdown because they cause unfamiliar decision situations, so the operator is returned to inexperienced, less effective types of behaviour.