Cognitive task analyses for decision centred design and training

TLDR

The study applies Cognitive Task Analysis to three domains—white‑water rafting, general aviation, and emergency ambulance—to define system design and training requirements. The authors modified Klein et al.’s critical decision method and used it to interview expert guides, pilots, and dispatchers, gathering task information for analysis. The CTA approach produced multimedia training tools for rafting guides and pilots and informed a redesign of ambulance VDU displays, demonstrating its practical utility for practitioners.

Abstract

This paper presents three case studies of Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) for defining systems design and training requirements. The approach taken involves a modification of the critical decision method of Klein et al. The authors utilized the revised CDM to obtain information from expert white-water rafting guides, general aviation pilots, and emergency ambulance dispatchers. The information obtained was used to develop multi-media tools for training rafting guides and general aviation pilots, and to redesign the VDU display requirements for the ambulance dispatchers. The examples demonstrate the utility of an approach to CTA that is closely based on relevant theory, and provides guidance to practitioners wishing to apply CTA techniques.