Citation

Millen L, Edwards T, Golightly D, Sharples S, Wilson JR, Kirwan B. Int. J. Aviat. Psychol. 2011; 21(1): 62-84.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10508414.2011.537560

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Cognitive work analysis (CWA) is a comprehensive and in-depth framework for analyzing cognitive work. In recent years, the framework has received much attention in human factors research and particularly in aviation, air traffic control (ATC) and defense. This article presents the application of CWA in 2 industrial contexts--rail signaling and ATC. The utility of 2 different stages of CWA -- work domain analysis and control task analysis -- is considered and compared for these contexts. The aim is to show what analyses can be of use to systems designers and operation managers through the application of CWA, in particular how CWA can help in the analysis of the cognitive demands experienced by operators in rail signaling and en-route ATC. We discuss methodological and practical benefits of parallel applications of CWA in 2 transport environments.