Citation

Simonsen E, Osvalder AL. Theor. Issues Ergonomics Sci. 2019; 20(5): 556-571.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1463922X.2019.1574930

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Formative human factors (HF) evaluation is an important activity in control room design. Its purpose is to provide design feedback in the development process, preferably early so as to lower the risk of late and sub-optimal design changes. Early evaluation requires assessment of higher level design decisions due to the gradual specificity of design decisions made as the development process progresses. There is also a need to further develop HF methods that are applicable in practice. The purpose of this article is to seek understanding of, and base guidelines on, the practical use of HF methods for formative assessment of higher level design decisions in control rooms. Evaluations in three development projects at a Swedish nuclear power plant were studied, identifying 18 method guidelines. The guidelines related to: 1) the method's ability to define, adapt, focus and balance; 2) execution of the evaluation workshops; 3) the communicative purpose of the evaluation activity. Comparing the identified guidelines with literature showed similarities, but also highlighted unique guidelines. The compiled results can be used to further develop methods for early formative evaluation of control rooms in practice.

Language: en

Keywords

control room; early evaluation; formative evaluation; Human factors methods; practice