david wastell | Nottingham 1 (original) (raw)
Papers by david wastell
Human Factors, 2003
The study examines the cognitive demands of collision avoidance under a range of maritime scenari... more The study examines the cognitive demands of collision avoidance under a range of maritime scenarios. Operators used a PC-based radar simulator to navigate set courses over 100 6-min trials varying in collision threat and traffic density. Corrective maneuvers were made through the application of standard navigation rules and by using two decision aids (target acquisition and test maneuver). Results showed widespread effects of collision threat in terms of decision aid use, subjective workload, and secondary task performance. Most notably, demand increased markedly over the course of emergency trials, in which collision threat resulted from rule violation by target vessels. The findings are discussed in terms of the comparison between predictable demands (requiring standard course changes) and those involving uncertainty about the others' intentions (involving more intensive monitoring and forced delays in corrective action). The study has relevance for the design of collision avoidance systems, specifically for the use of ecological displays.
Human Factors, 1998
This study was carried out to test the compensatory control model, which predicts performance mai... more This study was carried out to test the compensatory control model, which predicts performance maintenance under stress at the expense of effort and increased selectivity. It examined the effects of sleep deprivation on performance in an automated process control task based on a simplified life support system with two types of operator control panel interface: machine centered (M-C), in which access to the system was scheduled by the computer, and human-centered (H-C), in which access was ad-lib. The task environment also permitted the analysis of changes in strategy and in subsidiary activities (alarm reaction time, prospective memory). In a 2 x 2 repeated-measures design, 16 participants carried out the task with each interface after both normal sleep and one night of sleep deprivation (SD). No effects of SD were observed on primary task performance. As predicted, SD effects were confined to strategy changes and subsidiary task impairment and occurred only under the (low control) M-C interface. Subjective effort was increased under SD, with greater increases of effort associated with high levels of performance protection. The findings provide strong evidence in favor of the compensatory control model and argue for the use of complex, multilevel tasks in the analysis of performance under stress. Actual or potential applications include the development of more sensitive performance-testing systems based on multilevel analysis of decrement, and the design of interfaces for shift work and other suboptimal work conditions.
Acta Astronautica, 1999
This paper presents an experiment which examined the effects of isolation and confinement during ... more This paper presents an experiment which examined the effects of isolation and confinement during a simulation of a short-term space mission. During the 7-day spaceflight simulation, four Canadian astronauts were tested daily on a 30-min performance task. The task, CAMS (Cabin Air Management System), represents a computer-based simulation of a generic life support system. As a multiple-task environment, it allows the measurement of a wide range of task management variables such as primary and secondary task performance, and system control activities. Measures of subjective state variables were also taken. The results did not show any evidence of serious performance decrements for any crew member. The analysis revealed different adjustment patterns with which crew members responded as a function of mission duration and variations in workload. Among the secondary tasks employed, prospective memory was found to be more sensitive than reaction time to increases in workload. The paper concludes with a discussion of the utility of spaceflight simulations and computer-based simulations of space work.
Acta Astronautica, 1996
This paper discusses the implications of increasing mission lengths of manned spaceflight for the... more This paper discusses the implications of increasing mission lengths of manned spaceflight for the design of future space systems from a human factors point of view. It is argued that the increase in mission duration has brought about a number of new problems, which have not been sufficiently addressed in space research. Therefore, a review of analogue work environments is carried out to make up for the paucity of space research found in the area of human performance in long-duration spaceflight. This resulted in an evaluation of seven analogue environments concerning their similarity to space with industrial process control and nuclear submarines coming out as the closest match on the technical dimension. Finally, some recommendations are given from the lessons learned in spaceflight, simulation studies and appropriate analogue environments.
It & People, 2005
... However, whilst such factor models can highlight important influences, they necessarily fail ... more ... However, whilst such factor models can highlight important influences, they necessarily fail to capture the dynamic, processual character of socio-technical innovation (Newman and Robey, 1992; McMaster et al. 1997a; Robey and Boudreau, 1999). ...
Journal of Information Technology, 2007
This paper seeks to address the question “How should software development be optimally organised?... more This paper seeks to address the question “How should software development be optimally organised?” It proposes that the Viable System Model (VSM) provides a rigorous framework for an investigation of organisational aspects of software development. The paper describes the VSM and presents a case study of its application.
Journal of Database Management, 1999
... System 5 Policy Meta-system Algedonic Signal System 4 Intelligence System 3 ... Coordinat... more ... System 5 Policy Meta-system Algedonic Signal System 4 Intelligence System 3 ... Coordination Audit System3* Operational Unit Operational Unit Operational Management Operational Management Local ... the late 1980's HMS were confronted with a major business challenge. ...
Information and Organization, 2004
This paper is concerned with e-government implementation at the local level. It proposes that eff... more This paper is concerned with e-government implementation at the local level. It proposes that effective realization of the radical change promised by e-government depends upon a sense of crisis, a problematisation, which motivates the organisation to respond with urgency and vigour. The paper reports a study of one leading local authority based upon interviews of its senior managers. It finds no sense of crisis, and instead obfuscation and psychological distancing, as the potential of e-government is marginalized, and the status quo is reinforced.
Information Systems Journal, 1996
Human Factors, 2003
The study examines the cognitive demands of collision avoidance under a range of maritime scenari... more The study examines the cognitive demands of collision avoidance under a range of maritime scenarios. Operators used a PC-based radar simulator to navigate set courses over 100 6-min trials varying in collision threat and traffic density. Corrective maneuvers were made through the application of standard navigation rules and by using two decision aids (target acquisition and test maneuver). Results showed widespread effects of collision threat in terms of decision aid use, subjective workload, and secondary task performance. Most notably, demand increased markedly over the course of emergency trials, in which collision threat resulted from rule violation by target vessels. The findings are discussed in terms of the comparison between predictable demands (requiring standard course changes) and those involving uncertainty about the others' intentions (involving more intensive monitoring and forced delays in corrective action). The study has relevance for the design of collision avoidance systems, specifically for the use of ecological displays.
Human Factors, 1998
This study was carried out to test the compensatory control model, which predicts performance mai... more This study was carried out to test the compensatory control model, which predicts performance maintenance under stress at the expense of effort and increased selectivity. It examined the effects of sleep deprivation on performance in an automated process control task based on a simplified life support system with two types of operator control panel interface: machine centered (M-C), in which access to the system was scheduled by the computer, and human-centered (H-C), in which access was ad-lib. The task environment also permitted the analysis of changes in strategy and in subsidiary activities (alarm reaction time, prospective memory). In a 2 x 2 repeated-measures design, 16 participants carried out the task with each interface after both normal sleep and one night of sleep deprivation (SD). No effects of SD were observed on primary task performance. As predicted, SD effects were confined to strategy changes and subsidiary task impairment and occurred only under the (low control) M-C interface. Subjective effort was increased under SD, with greater increases of effort associated with high levels of performance protection. The findings provide strong evidence in favor of the compensatory control model and argue for the use of complex, multilevel tasks in the analysis of performance under stress. Actual or potential applications include the development of more sensitive performance-testing systems based on multilevel analysis of decrement, and the design of interfaces for shift work and other suboptimal work conditions.
Acta Astronautica, 1999
This paper presents an experiment which examined the effects of isolation and confinement during ... more This paper presents an experiment which examined the effects of isolation and confinement during a simulation of a short-term space mission. During the 7-day spaceflight simulation, four Canadian astronauts were tested daily on a 30-min performance task. The task, CAMS (Cabin Air Management System), represents a computer-based simulation of a generic life support system. As a multiple-task environment, it allows the measurement of a wide range of task management variables such as primary and secondary task performance, and system control activities. Measures of subjective state variables were also taken. The results did not show any evidence of serious performance decrements for any crew member. The analysis revealed different adjustment patterns with which crew members responded as a function of mission duration and variations in workload. Among the secondary tasks employed, prospective memory was found to be more sensitive than reaction time to increases in workload. The paper concludes with a discussion of the utility of spaceflight simulations and computer-based simulations of space work.
Acta Astronautica, 1996
This paper discusses the implications of increasing mission lengths of manned spaceflight for the... more This paper discusses the implications of increasing mission lengths of manned spaceflight for the design of future space systems from a human factors point of view. It is argued that the increase in mission duration has brought about a number of new problems, which have not been sufficiently addressed in space research. Therefore, a review of analogue work environments is carried out to make up for the paucity of space research found in the area of human performance in long-duration spaceflight. This resulted in an evaluation of seven analogue environments concerning their similarity to space with industrial process control and nuclear submarines coming out as the closest match on the technical dimension. Finally, some recommendations are given from the lessons learned in spaceflight, simulation studies and appropriate analogue environments.
It & People, 2005
... However, whilst such factor models can highlight important influences, they necessarily fail ... more ... However, whilst such factor models can highlight important influences, they necessarily fail to capture the dynamic, processual character of socio-technical innovation (Newman and Robey, 1992; McMaster et al. 1997a; Robey and Boudreau, 1999). ...
Journal of Information Technology, 2007
This paper seeks to address the question “How should software development be optimally organised?... more This paper seeks to address the question “How should software development be optimally organised?” It proposes that the Viable System Model (VSM) provides a rigorous framework for an investigation of organisational aspects of software development. The paper describes the VSM and presents a case study of its application.
Journal of Database Management, 1999
... System 5 Policy Meta-system Algedonic Signal System 4 Intelligence System 3 ... Coordinat... more ... System 5 Policy Meta-system Algedonic Signal System 4 Intelligence System 3 ... Coordination Audit System3* Operational Unit Operational Unit Operational Management Operational Management Local ... the late 1980's HMS were confronted with a major business challenge. ...
Information and Organization, 2004
This paper is concerned with e-government implementation at the local level. It proposes that eff... more This paper is concerned with e-government implementation at the local level. It proposes that effective realization of the radical change promised by e-government depends upon a sense of crisis, a problematisation, which motivates the organisation to respond with urgency and vigour. The paper reports a study of one leading local authority based upon interviews of its senior managers. It finds no sense of crisis, and instead obfuscation and psychological distancing, as the potential of e-government is marginalized, and the status quo is reinforced.
Information Systems Journal, 1996