Analysing dynamic work systems using DynEAST: a demonstration of concept

• Published in: Ergonomics Vol. 66; no. 3; pp. 377 - 405
• Main Authors: Holman, Matt, Walker, Guy, Lansdown, Terry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 04.03.2023; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Abbreviations; Awareness; Case studies; Cognitive ability; complexity; dynamism; Ergonomics; Ergonomics - methods; Human factors; Humans; Methods; Network analysis; Railway tracks; Situational awareness; Social networks; Social organization; System theory; Systems Analysis; Systems Theory; Task analysis; Teamwork; work as done; Work measurement; situational awareness; dynamism; complexity; work as done; Methods
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2022.2092217

The capability of current Ergonomics methods to capture dynamism is limited, stifling our understanding of work-as-done, distributed situational awareness and organisational drift. This paper provides a demonstration of concept of DynEAST; an extension of the EAST framework underpinned by principles from Dynamic Network Analysis, to capture elements of dynamism within work systems. The DynEAST concept is applied to a railway maintenance case study. Case study findings demonstrate how DynEAST outputs can be used to advance our understanding of the aforementioned phenomena and better equip practitioners for current and future Ergonomics challenges. Practitioner summary: This paper introduces the DynEAST method. DynEAST enables HF/E practitioners to model and analyse dynamic features of complex work systems. The development of DynEAST is timely due to the concurrent proliferation of increasingly complex sociotechnical systems and stagnation of HF/E methods development; particularly those able to model systemic dynamism.   Abbreviations: DynEAST: dynamic event analysis of systemic teamwork; EAST: dynamic event analysis of systemic teamwork; HF/E: human factors and ergonomics; HF: human factors; DNA: dynamic network analysis; HTA: hierarchal task analysis; CWA: cognitive work analysis; CAST: causal analysis based on system theory; STAMP: system theoretic accident model and processes; FRAM: functional resonance analysis method; SNA: social network analysis; DSA: distributed situational awareness; PPO: possession protection officer; PO: protection officer; RTS: railway track signals; LPA: local possession authority; SMEs: subject matter experts