Analysis of complex team-based systems: augmentations to goal-directed task analysis and cognitive work analysis

Abstract

This research modified two analysis techniques, goal-directed task analysis (GDTA) and modified cognitive work analysis (mCWA), in order to apply them to the analysis of a complex team-based system. Traditionally, GDTA and mCWA have been applied to narrowly focused physical-based domains; however, the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) incident response domain is a very complex domain in which individual humans and teams of humans with specialised skills and responsibilities are considered to be system components. The resulting system combines very large number of components, decision-makers and uncertain environmental issues. Each analysis technique provided strengths that complemented the other's weaknesses; however, the analysis techniques required augmentations in order to facilitate information capture and correspondence to design requirements. The contributions of this article include a presentation of the augmentations and a discussion of the benefits provided by employing both analysis techniques.

Keywords:

• cognitive task analysis
• goal-directed task analysis
• cognitive work analysis
• incident response
• human-based system

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Nashville Mayor's Office of Emergency Management and a long list of subject matter experts. The authors also thank Ari M. Wilson for his efforts in conducting the initial GDTA and mCWA. The work was partially supported by a Vanderbilt University Discovery grant and NSF grants IIS-0519421 and IIS-0643100. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of these supporting organisations.