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Various models of representational theory of measurement to analyze observable or non-directly observable properties of an object or operation are presented.

A new study examines the interaction between different map displays and spatial task using two commonly used aircraft display systems.

Participation has an indirect relationship with task performance through goal acceptance. A sample taken from a goal-setting program participated in by 200 employees reveals that participation also has a positive effect on task performance and procedural justice perceptions. The procedural justice perceptions of the goal-setting program, however, does not have any effect on task performance.

The redistribution and assignment of staff and physician tasks resulted in the decrease in the number of days that passed between the time of examination and the day the eyeglasses are given. The strategy also leads to the increase in the number of appointments and the daily revenue obtained by the physicians. Task redundancy, integration of independent individual assignments and accountability of the staff and the physicians are addressed by the task-manipulation condition.

Performance by the participants improved after their task was clarified. The results indicated that the need to define responsibilities is needed to maximize efficiency. On the other hand, feedback intervention and positive reinforcement suffered setbacks due to several factors, one of which is the ineffectiveness of positive reinforcement from outsiders. Participants value more their supervisor's feedback. It was concluded that it would be harder to implement performance improvements in the police force due to the varying situations they are subjected to.

The ability of an optimum duration of inter-task system response times (SRT) to aid users in achieving a perfect readiness for task execution is systematically investigated. Three SRT duration conditions, namely, short, medium and long, were applied in a balanced repeated measures design. Medium SRTs are observed to enable the attainment of optimum readiness for task execution.

The influence of equilibrium task complexity on its selection for multi-stage games is investigated. Three task complexity measures are considered, namely, cardinality of choice space, level of iterative knowledge of rationality and level of iterative knowledge of strategies. The metrics are used to proxy for the degree of cognitive effort needed to play a game. Coordination games with multiple equilibria each being a different division of a fixed pie are analyzed. Results show that subjects consider disparity, although not as importantly as task complexity. Subject choices are also path-dependent. The three task complexity metrics prove to be effective in predicting choice behavior.

A fast optimal task allocation (OTA) algorithm maximizes the reliability of redundant distributed computing systems by finding an optimal and sub-optimal task-allocation. The method assigns the processing node for each module of a task or program. The algorithm is robust for a wide range of parameters such as number of modules, number of processing nodes, ratio of average execution cost to average communication cost and connectivity of modules. The performance improves on increasing the difference between the number of modules and connectivity.

This paper describes a framework for robotic task sequence planning which decomposes tasks into operations sequences for a generic robotic workcell. The approach provides robust excucution of tasks through properties of: traceability-implicit mapping of operations to task representation, and viability-retaining multiple paths for execution. Given the descriptions of the objects in the system and all feasible geometric configurations and relationships among these objects, an AND/OR net which describes the relationships of all feasible geometric states and associated feasibility criteria for net transitions is generated. This AND/OR net is mapped into a Petri net which incorporates all feasible sequences of high level operations. The resulting Petri net is then decomposed in a stepwise manner into lower level Petri nets of which each transition can be directly implemented by control commands or command sequences based on devices and objects in the system, or, by lower level planning transitions corresponding to path planning, grasp planning, fine motion planning, etc. The property analysis for different levels of decomposition is also presented, and the inheritance of properties between levels is defined. All possible task sequences could be found using a search algorithm based on feasible system states. The shortest sequence may be chosen from the lowest level decomposition and is guaranteed to be the optimal output of the hierarchical planning system to efficiently implement the desired tasks.

The Cognitive Environment Simulation (CES) is a cognitive simulation which uses empirical data on human performance to determine the cognitive demands of a task, to specify where intention errors can probably occur and present improvements in the human-machine system. It has been tested on various nuclear power plant accident simulations. CES can be used to determine the cognitive prerequisites of a problem-solving scenario as a part of a cognitive task analysis.

This study addressed the problem of task revision, a virtually unresearched issue in the work performance literature. We defined task revision as action taken to correct a faulty procedure, an inaccurate job description, or a role expectation that is dysfunctional for an organization. Two experiments were constructed to measure task revision and test for its determinants. Results showed that goal setting inhibited task revision: instructions to 'do your best' were superior to a specific goal. Facilitators of task revision were the salience of alternatives and being in a supervisory position with accountability pressures. We discuss the implications of these results in terms of the functions of counter-role behavior for organizations and the need to broaden the construct of work performance. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

A product of cognitive task analysis speaking in a language similar to that of software designers is illustrated through a success story of cognitive systems engineering. This is a method of bridging the gap occurring between intelligent technology and technological interventions.

KENNETH H. DOERR [1] ANTONIO ARREOLA-RISA [2] Three sources of variability in task completion times are identified: the task itself, the worker performing the task, and the environment where the [...]

Research is presented describing the development of a meta-analysis criteria evaluation methodology for use in the field of policy analytic activities.

Most prescriptions for managing workers assume that employees' assignments are linked to their work roles and career paths. With increasing frequency, however, people are being assigned tasks that are not clearly linked to those factors. Typically -- and predictably -- performance levels for these 'secondary' tasks are lower than for 'primary' tasks. This article draws on a group process perspective in suggesting guidelines for managing employees assigned to do secondary tasks. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Human Error Identification techniques have been used to predict human error in high risk environments despite the lack of evidence for their efficacy. These techniques are increasingly applied to industrial processes to include product assessment. Analysis showed that human error identification techniques may be acquired easily and have the ability to provide reasonable error predictions.

Three case studies of Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) for defining systems design and training requirements are described. A critical decision method form of CTA was utilized to extract information from expert white-water rafting guides and general aviation pilots and emergency ambulance dispatchers. In turn, the information obtained was used to develop multi-media tools for training rafting guides and general aviation pilots. Results indicated the utility of the approach to CTA that is based on relevant theory.

The notation and computer-based tool for the Sub-Goal Template task-analytic approach to specifying information requirements were described. Two experiments were conducted in which two notations for redescribing sequences that involve making a choice between task alternatives were compared. Results showed that the computer environment was found to be easier to use and led to more accurate plan redescription. Ergonomic design in developing notations and tools to support task analysis methods were found to be necessary.

Semi-synchronized activity as an aspect of collaboration was described as a challenge for the task analysis of collaborative work. A number of case studies were analyzed to show the relationship between awareness and synchronization in collaborative work. They illustrated that an analysis of collaborative activity requires a consideration of various factors such as activities constituting work, access to these activities, environment where the activities are carried out and constraints that apply to the accessibility and participation in these environments.

A combinatorial model of the multiple-task principal-agent problem is presented.

A new systematic approach to evaluating the task graph of tasks executed under preplanned allocation constraints is presented.

The inter-rate reproducibility of the content, frequency and duration of work tasks assessed by telephone interview was examined.

A study explicitly investigated the accounting task simplicity issue by extending conditions under which various kinds of feedback can enhance performance by manipulating task predictability. One important finding was that subjects in the high task predictability groups who received outcome feedback alone, and in combination with task properties feedback, bolstered their judgement accuracy on a prediction of corporate failure task.

The sources of error within a safety-critical software design task were examined using a number of convergent methods of task- and error-analysis which includes hierarchical task analysis, error log audit, error observation, work sample and laboratory experiment. Results revealed that the use of convergent methods approach illustrates the benefits and limitations of individual analysis methods and shows the advantages of combining methods to analyze complex problems.

The status of the Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) as a general framework for examining tasks and its relevance to analyzing cognitive tasks were evaluated. The framework presented related the various stages of decision-making encountered in a practical project which includes cost-benefit analysis, exploring behaviors and task redescription. Utilizing the framework resulted in the hierarchy of operations and plans that characterized HTA. Thus, HTA is justified as a general task analysis strategy rather than a method for modelling behavior.