Cognitive work analysis and design: current practice and future practitioner requirements

Abstract

Cognitive work analysis (CWA) is a unique analytical framework which provides analysis information to inform system design. However, the literature describing CWA applications indicates that its use in design is not straightforward. An online survey was used to gather information from CWA practitioners about how they have used CWA in design applications and to gather their views and attitudes on aspects of CWA and design. The survey found that there was no typical means of using the outputs of CWA within design processes across survey respondents. Over half of the respondents indicated that there is a need for an additional approach or method to enhance the contribution of CWA to design. It is concluded that the field could benefit from the development of an additional design approach, with associated guidance, to assist in using the outputs of CWA in design processes.

Keywords:

• cognitive work analysis
• human factors integration
• systems analysis
• system design
• design processes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the survey participants for their contribution to this research and the anonymous reviewers whose comments have improved this paper. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the funding bodies or research partners.

Additional information

Funding

Gemma Read's contribution to this article was funded through an Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) provided by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (ARC) [grant number LP100200387] to Monash University in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast and the University of Southampton, and the following partner organisations: the Victorian Rail Track Corporation, Transport Safety Victoria, Public Transport Victoria, Transport Accident Commission, Roads Corporation (VicRoads) and V/Line Passenger Pty Ltd. Dr Paul Salmon's contribution to this article was funded through an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council postdoctoral training fellowship.

Notes on contributors

Gemma J.M. Read

Gemma J.M. Read is a PhD candidate at the Monash Injury Research Institute at Monash University in Melbourne. She received a postgraduate diploma in psychology from Monash University in 2009, having previously obtained BBSc and LLB degrees from LaTrobe University.

Paul M. Salmon

Paul M. Salmon is professor of Human Factors and director of the Accident Research team at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He obtained his PhD degree in human factors from Brunel University in 2008.

Michael G. Lenné

Michael G. Lenné is professor of Human Factors and leads the Human Factors team as an associate director of the Monash Injury Research Institute's Accident Research Centre. He was awarded a PhD degree in experimental psychology/human factors from Monash University in 1998.