Modelling for cognitive engineering of user interfaces: need, basis and one promising implementation

The complexity of systems is forcing human factors engineers to deal increasingly with cognitive aspects of operator's performance. Cognitive engineering (CE) is an emerging technology to improve system interfaces by taking into account operator mental capabilities and states. Cognitive science applications in human factors are surveyed to determine the state of the art of cognitive engineering. A theoretical basis for CE is developed and the need for cognitive modelling established. Finally, a candidate basis for a CE model is proposed based on the development of the Soar production system (Newell, 1992).