Analysing automation degree and information exchange in joint cognitive systems: FAME, an analytical approach

The role of the operator in complex plant operations is evolving. This raises concerns about maintaining safety, reliability and efficiency. One issue is the basic function allocation within the joint cognitive system. Another related issue is analysis of the interaction between the systems and the operator. Both issues are being investigated by the Halden Reactor Project (HRP) in the FAME (Function Allocation MEthods) project. FAME simulates the joint cognitive system and consists of an operator component, a communication manager and an automation component; in addition, it is coupled to a plant simulator. The operator component describes the competence of the operator using a hierarchy of tasks and goals, while the operator's control and how this relates to his/her understanding of the situation is modelled in the Contextual Control Model (COCOM). FAME simulates the joint cognitive system with different kinds of scenarios, with different function allocations and different information distribution to the actors in the system, the operator and the automation. Based on analysis of these scenarios, it is possible to clarify and partly answer the issues raised above. FAME is complemented by the experimental program on human-centred automation at the HRP. This paper describes how FAME attacks the problems of function allocation and information exchange. We describe how the basic methodology applied in FAME answers some main requirements of the design of automation systems: matching the total system to the goals of the operator, and emphasising the maintaining of operator control and situation understanding.