Designing teams for first-of-a-kind, complex systems using the initial phases of cognitive work analysis: case study.
We present a technique for team design based on cognitive work analysis (CWA). We first develop a rationale for this technique by discussing the limitations of conventional approaches for team design in light of the special characteristics of first-of-a-kind, complex systems. We then introduce the CWA-based technique for team design and provide a case study of how we used this technique to design a team for a first-of-a-kind, complex military system during the early stages of its development. In addition to illustrating the CWA-based technique by example, the case study allows us to evaluate the technique. This case study demonstrates that the CWA-based technique for team design is both feasible and useful, although empirical validation of the technique is still necessary. Applications of this work include the design of teams for first-of-a-kind, complex systems in military, medical, and industrial domains.
Naikar
Neelam
N
Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Melbourne, Australia. neelam.naikar@dsto.defence.gov.au
Pearce
Brett
B
Drumm
Dominic
D
Sanderson
Penelope M
PM
D001315:Australia; D003071:Cognition; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007324:Institutional Management Teams; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D013597:Systems Analysis