HU Fundamentals

What are the three modes of human performance?

1. Skill-Based 2. Rule-Based 3. Knowledge-Based

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Peer Review

3D Peer Review Define the review Denote the critical attributes Dig for facts Practices to Avoid: not adjusting schedule for review time, schedule pressure, performing concurrent tasks, not documenting the review, using the same person for reviews, using reviews to train less experienced personnel, checker not having a questioning attitude.

Active Error vs. Latent Error?

Active errors trigger immediate undesirable consequences. Latent errors create undetected siutation or circumstance in which an embedded, dormant problem exists until later revealed by an event.

Human Performance Characteristics of an Engineer vs. Operators and Craft Personnel?

Errors by engineers have greatest adverse impact. Work characterized as rule or knowledge-based; thus highest probability for error. More latent than errors by operators or craft and may go unnoticed for long period of time.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Questioning Attitude

FACTS - Foresee Complex Technical Activities, Ask Questions, Confirm knowns and unknowns for critical actives, Tests the current situation, Stop When Unsure. Practices to Avoid: Dismissing contrary views, making assumptions, rationalizing an anomaly away, thinking task is simple, limiting scope / responsibility, not asking for help.

Difference between Fundamental Tools and Conditional Tools?

Fundamental tools should be used regularly for any work activity, regardless of risk or complexity. Conditional tools are error-management methods that depend on the situation, needs of the task or job, and or risk involved.

Characteristics of Skill-Based performance? Error Percentage?

Highly practiced actions, routine activity, 90% of daily activities are skill-based, from memory without significant conscious thought, executed in a familiar environment. Error Mode - Inattention, lapse in concentration, 25% of ALL errors.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Project Planning

Initiate, Plan, Control, Close Practices to Avoid: Communicating Infrequently, excluding stakeholders, not obtain commitment or ownership, spreading responsibility to multiple people, not publishing project plan, not updating team members on changes, changes team members after starting.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Problem Solving

PACTS Problem Statement Analysis Causes Testing Solution Practices to Avoid: attempting solutions before defining problem, deciding without clearly understanding the risks ahead of time, not having all stakeholders involved.

What are some of the fundamental knowledge tools?

Pre-Job Brief Self-Check Questioning Attitude Validate Assumptions Signature

Characteristics of Knowledge-Based performance?

Riskiest mode, development of a new procedure/rule to cope with a totally unfamiliar situation, no skill or rule recognizable to the individual. Using only one's knowledge of the system, scientific principles, or fundamental theory. Error Mode - Inaccurate mental model, internalize picture. 15% of ALL errors.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Self-Check

STAR - Stop, Think, Act, Review Practices to Avoid: Not identifying critical steps in advance, not repeating self-check when distracted, multitasking, continuing in the face of uncertainty, being fatigued.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Technical Task Pre-Job Brief

Assign a qualified individual to the task, summarize the task and risks, anticipate challenges to human performance for critical activities using SAFER, ask assigned individuals to verbally summarize, in his/her own words the material just discussed for full retention and comprehension. Practices to Avoid: discussing generalities, not discussing error-likely situations or risks, supervisor monologue, conducting separate briefs, ignoring OE, not understanding learning cure of assigned engineer.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Decision-Making

Behavior Standard: Goal, Options, Analysis, Plan, Review Practices to Avoid: making decisions before defining goal, using intuition for a risk-important issue, implementing decision without clearly understanding the risk.

Characteristics of Rule-Based performance? Error Percentage?

Behavior based on selected or stored rules, interpretation of work situation, follow IF/THEN logic, involves making choices. Error Mode - Misinterpretation, not understanding the work situation. 60% of ALL errors.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Validate Assumptions

DEFT - Documentation, Evidence, Field Walk down, Track and Close out. Practices to Avoid: Perceived competence of source, not tracking closure of unverified assumptions, not recognizing conflict data, not documenting basis for engineering judgement, using past successes to justify current assumptions.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Vendor Oversight

Validation Exceptions N-terdependency Documentation Oversight Review Practices to Avoid: Assuming vendor is expert, insufficient oversight over vendor testing or designs, assuming vendor recognizes effects of changes to his/her standard products.

Describe correct behaviors and at-risk practices to avoid associated with each knowledge worker HU tool. Signature

acknowledge each of the following before releasing the product to the next step in the engineering process. Knowledge, Involvement, Independence, Quality, Right and Proper, No Doubt. Practices to Avoid: signing for area outside your expertise, or work you did not perform, deferring to what management wants without critical thinking, relaxing design standards for expediency, assuming the previous person did a good job or was an expert.

Define "knowledge worker".

an individual performing work with no preprogrammed instructions or rules and which relies on personal understanding and knowledge of a system, its present state, and scientific principles and fundamental theory related to the system.