Module 1: Introduction of

Cognitive Ergonomics
Module Overview
The International Ergonomics Association defines cognitive ergonomics (CE) as "the
study of mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor
reaction as they impact interactions between people and other aspects of a
system." Topics important to human-system design include mental workload,
decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interface, human
dependability, job stress, and training. Cognitive ergonomics is the study of
cognition in work and operational environments with the goal of improving human
well-being and system performance. It is a subfield of human factors and
ergonomics. Cognitive ergonomics, often known as cognitive engineering, is a new
discipline of ergonomics that focuses on the examination of cognitive processes
needed by operators in modern businesses and related milleus.

Motivation Question
How important a cognitive ergonomics in the field of Industrial Engineering?

Module Pretest

This will be posted in the official virtual classroom.

Lesson 1.1: Definition of Cognitive Ergonomics

Lesson Summary
This lesson discusses the definition of cognitive ergonomics. It also covers the
relevant topics associated on cognitive ergonomics, guidelines, applications,
principles and disciplines.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Define cognitive ergonomics.
2. Discuss the guidelines, applications, principles and disciplines in the field of
cognitive ergonomics.

Motivational Questions

What can you say about the figure?

Discussion

Cognitive ergonomics is a branch of ergonomics concerned with making

items simple, straightforward, and simple to use.

Cognitive ergonomics is the study of how well a product's use matches the
cognitive capacity of its users. It is based on understanding of human
perception, mental processing, and memory. It is not a design discipline,
but rather a repository of information for designers to utilize as guidelines
to ensure high usability.
Topics relevant to human-system design include mental workload, decision-making,
skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress,
and training.

Mental Workload

Similar to attention, mental workload is described as an intervening variable.

Changes in performance must be inferred. When the mental effort is too high or too
low, performance suffers. For practitioners, computational models of attention and
workload hold the most promise.

Decision-making skilled performance

Decision-making skills refer to your ability to select a good option from two or more
alternatives. As a form of problem-solving talent, there are three major methods to
approach decision-making: utilizing intuition, reasoning, or a mix of both.

 Intuition is your default response, or the gut feeling you get when presented
with a problem or decision to make. This first reaction comes from a
combination of things you’ve learned, experiences you’ve had, and opinions
you hold, so everyone’s intuition is different. Using intuition means basing
your decision on your lived experiences, so it can be subjective.
 Reasoning, on the other hand, is rooted in data. You reason when you use
the data available to you and only base a decision off of facts and figures
instead of your instinctive reaction. This is a more objective way to come to a
decision and its usually how bigger decisions are made.
 Both. Typically, decisions are made with both intuition and reasoning. Using
both is a good way to check and make sure your choice is logical.

Since we make decisions all the time, we usually don’t stop to think about
whether we should make an intuition-based or reason-based decision.
Instead, we naturally use a combination of the two.

Decisions are mostly based on intuition and logic, but other talents are also
required. If you're strong at making judgments, you're also good at a variety of
other abilities necessary to make a sound decision.

Making a smart decision involves reasoning, information processing, intuition,

asking questions, assessing probable consequences, and other skills. Employers
strive for solid decision-making abilities since they encompass so many other
talents required to prosper in a professional environment.

Human-computer interaction

Human-computer interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary topic of research that

focuses on the design of computer technology, specifically the interaction between
humans (users) and computers. HCI, which was first focused with computers, has
subsequently extended to encompass practically all types of information technology
design. Likewise, according to Interaction Design Foundation, HCI is defined as the
academic field that most of us associate with user interface design. It focuses on
how humans and computers interact at ever-increasing degrees of both complexity
and simplicity. This also known as User Experience, Cognitive Engineering,
Cognitive Task Design or Interaction Design

Human Reliability

Human reliability is the possibility of effective human performance within defined

timelines and environmental conditions. It is crucial to overall system dependability
and is one component that leads to or prevents undesirable occurrences from
occurring.

Work Stress

Work stress is described as the detrimental physical and emotional responses that
occur when the job requirements do not meet the worker's talents, resources, or
demands. Job stress may wreak havoc on one's health and possibly cause damage.
In short, the stage is set for illness, injury, and job failure.

Training

Training, according to Dale S. Beach, is "the systematic technique through which

people gain information and/or skill for a specific goal." Training is defined as the
teaching and learning activities carried out with the primary goal of assisting
members of an organization in acquiring and applying the information, skills,
abilities, and attitudes required by a certain job and organization.

Cognitive Ergonomics Applications

"The initial fields explored by cognitive ergonomics were nuclear power plants, air
traffic control systems, and medical anesthetics," according to the Interaction
Design Foundation. Those circumstances include complicated settings (e.g.,
numerous controls and switches—or many factors—at work) and require remarkable
attention to make judgments in potentially life-threatening situations. Many studies
were undertaken in "softer" sectors like as banking, office job, and leisure activities
in the years that followed. The ideas were found to be transferrable between both
situations."

So, the primary focus of cognitive ergonomics is on work activities which:

 Have an emphasized cognitive component

 Are in safety critical environments
 Are in complex, changeable environments

See the two studies linked below for a taste of research and practical applications of
cognitive ergonomics:
Cognitive Ergonomics Principles for Re-Designing Function Allocation and Interfaces
of a Fire Fighting Control Room of a Large City

The objective of this paper is to describe and discuss, firstly, how cognitive
ergonomics principles have been applied for the evaluation of the activities carried
out in the main control room of a fire fighting system of a large city. The same
principles, coupled with engineering creativity, have then been applied for re-
designing the allocation of functions and interfaces in order to improve efficiency of
communication, decision making and working context.

Applied Cognitive Ergonomics Design Principles for Fighter Aircraft

The objective of the reported work was to study the use and applicability of applied
cognitive ergonomics design principles for fighter aircraft, with examples from the
modern Swedish swing-role aircraft Gripen. Methods used were a literature review
of relevant design principles together with an analysis of their applicability to the
fighter aircraft domain as well as interviews of developers and scrutinized system
documentation of ongoing fighter aircraft development at Saab. As a result of those
activities, we can here present a brief description of cognitive ergonomics design
principles applied in the Gripen fighter aircraft, and the development process for
human-machine interaction for fighter aircraft. Finally, considerations for the design
process for fighter aircraft are discussed in the context of that description.

Disciplines for Better User Experience

Products designed to match the cognitive capabilities and limitations of users are
simple, clear, and easy to use, contributing to a superior overall user experience.
This is the ultimate goal of the designer of any system. But before we get to the
disciplines to building a better user experience, first it’s important to understand
what influences a user’s experience.

According to user experience expert Peter Morville a good user experience is:

 Useful
  Usable
 Desirable
 Findable
 Accessible
 Credible
 Valuable

Discipline to Build a Better User Experience

According to [Link], there are ten disciplines to building a better user

experience:

1. Project Management focuses on planning and organizing a project and its

resources. This includes identifying and managing the lifecycle to be used,
applying it to the user-centered design process, formulating the project team,
and efficiently guiding the team through all phases until project completion.

2. User Research focuses on understanding user behaviors, needs, and

motivations through observation techniques, task analysis, and other feedback
methodologies.

3. Usability Evaluation focuses on how well users can learn and use a
product to achieve their goals. It also refers to how satisfied users are with
that process.

4. Information Architecture focuses on how information is organized,

structured, and presented to users.

5. User Interface Design focuses on anticipating what users might need to

do and ensuring that the interface has elements that are easy to access,
understand, and use to facilitate those actions.

6. Interaction Design focuses on creating engaging interactive systems with

well thought out behaviors.

7. Visual Design focuses on ensuring an aesthetically pleasing interface that

is in line with brand goals.

8. Content Strategy focuses on writing and curating useful content by

planning the creation, delivery and governance behind it.

9. Accessibility focuses on how a disabled individual accesses or benefits

from a site, system or application. Section 508 is the governing principal for
accessibility.

10. Analytics focuses on the collection, reporting, and analysis of website

data.