This study examines the relative effectiveness of operators trained under two different regimes in managing a simulated process control system under the demands of both unfamiliar fault states and imposed environmental stress. Two groups were given 6 hours of training on the Cabin Air Management System, a complex, multilevel, PC-based process control task, emphasizing either system knowledge or use of procedures. They were then required to carry out the task for 3 hours (with noise during the middle 1 hour) across a range of both familiar and unfamiliar fault scenarios. Results showed that the system-trained group performed better for the primary control task, especially for less familiar and complex faults. However, for lower priority tasks requiring executive control, procedure-trained operators performed better and were less impaired by noise. The results are interpreted in terms of the rationale for instructing operators in the range of strategies required for effective process skills in complex work environments. The results suggest that training methodologies for safety critical applications should aim to develop skills in the use of both procedural and system knowledge strategies.
Samenvatting