Exploring Work Domain Analysis Techniques

Abstract

A work domain description is an initial requirement for a Human Factors analysis. Traditional Task Analyses use scenarios generated by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to describe the work domain. Cognitive Work Analysis describes the work domain structure using an Abstraction Decomposition Space. Personal Construct Psychology provides the basis for a new method of work domain analysis, which relies on the SME's mental constructs of the domain. Perceptual Control Theory incorporates the work domain functions and variables in its human-machine interaction framework. A study was conducted that developed four work domain descriptions of communication within the Griffon Helicopter using these techniques. The descriptions were compared and unique descriptors were found from each method. It was concluded that a synthesis of techniques promise to provide a comprehensive work domain description towards effective interface design.