Cognitive Work Analysis: Toward Safe, Productive, and Healthy Computer-Based Work

Rating:
Summary: Vicente presents a framework for CWA
Review: For some time now, I have been interested in the work of Jens Rasmussen and Kim Vicente. A dive into their work is a must for all cognitive engineers/psychologists within the field of man-machine interaction. What has been lcking from their work however, is an overall framework. What is the relation between the SRK taxonomy, direct perception, the decision ladder etc.? In this book Kim Vicente presents such a unifying framework for a "formative" approach to design of complex sosiotechnical systems. The first five chapters brilliantly summarises the problems related to the current establishment within the field. Normative approaches and a representational approach to human cognition neccesarily leads to problems of how to design for the unanticipated. For those familiar with the EID approach, buy this book NOW. For those who are not, I would recomend also reading some of the earlier materilal.

Thomas Hoff, Dept. of product design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Rating:
Summary: Usefull for engineers
Review: Vicente himself observed that before him there only existed sophisticated guidelines on different aspects of human-machine interaction but no holistic approach that is fit for the engineer. So he undertook the work and succeeded. Building on known technics he refined and combined them to form a coherent framework that guides you from the first assessment to the final delivery, putting emphasis on the 'get it right the first time' principle.

In contrast with other books on human machine interaction the ideas of the book are coherent, logical and refreshing to read.

The work is intended for big industrial projects, so our positive experince with a small-scale project is not representative. Still, Vincentes book is not a cookery-book but on the abstract and generic level and capable of being used in very different enviroments.

The only drawback is the use of the example microworld. I believe that most readers would have rather read about Vincentes experience in nuclear power plants with all its technical complexity than being bored by his fabricated and dull pump system.