Complex Systems and the Human-Computer Interface

Question 1

1a. Every year people working in….
1. b. For the most part
1. c.however, when a sequence of…

Answer 1

1. a.Large complex systems (CS) make mistakes
2. b.These are of little consequence
3. c. seemingly insignificant mistakes cascade it can result in big losses

Question 2

2. Mistakes in large CS, like the aviation industry

Answer 2

2. can cost billions of dollars in loss of property, environmental damage, PR and most devastatingly loss of human lives

Question 3

3. a. A complex system is composed…..
4. b. Complex systems behaviour is intrisically ……

Answer 3

3. a. of many components which may interact with each other
4. b. challenging to model due to the;

• Dependencies
• Competitions
• Relationships

and other types of interactions between people, parts and the environment

Question 4

4. a. Systems that are complex have distinct…..
5. b. Due to such complexity…..

Answer 4

4.a. properties that arise from these relationships;

• Non-linearity
• Emergence
• Adaptations
• Spontaneous order
• Feedback loops

4.b. there are inherent RISKS in the operation of complex systems

Question 5

5. One theory used to model risk in CS is….

Answer 5

5. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

which has 3 levels of functioning

1. PERCEPTION of the elements
2. COMPREHENSION of current situation
3. PROJECTION of future events

Question 6

6. a. If designing for the human computer….
7. b. These risks include….

Answer 6

6.a. Interface (HCI) it is essential to plan for the inherent risks in situational awareness

• 6.b. Attention tunneling
• Workload
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Other Stresses (WAFOS)
• data overload
• complexity creep
• out of the loop syndrome
• misplaced salience.

Question 7

7. Take for example the 2018Boeing 747 Max plane crashes…

Answer 7

2018. 29 October A Boeing 737 Max, operated by Lion Air, crashes into the Java Sea shortly after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia. … 11 April A military plane crashes shortly after take-off near the Algerian capital Algiers, killing all 257 people on board, including 10 crew members

In both accidents the stalling software was to blame and all 737 aircraft were grounded. IntiallyBoeing had offered fixes to the software as similar situations had happend the week before and pilots had made adjustments

Question 8

8. Further investigations have revealed that….
9. b. System accidents are caused …..

Answer 8

for this incident and a large majority of similar incidents computer failure and lack of marcro and micro human factors were the causes.

By the way the (system) parts engineered and human fit together

Question 9

9. In this situation and many others resultants failure is due to…

Answer 9

resultant failures are the effects of factors such as;

• Complicated Operational Processes
• Ineffective Training
• Non responsive Managerial Systems
• Non-adaptive Organisational Designs
• Haphazard response
• Environmental disturbance

Question 10

10. a. Therefore it is important to identify….
11. b. In which case in HCI it is essential to consider

Answer 10

10. a. Latent background factors. Dr Pauley stated that now we try to fit compuers to humans wehreas before we would fit humans to technology”
11. b.

• Physical Ergonomics -posture and handling, layout
• Cognitive Ergonomics - perception, memory, decision m
• Organisational Ergonomics - system, mangement, policies

START WITH THE USER IN MIND

Question 11

11.. For example in the aviation industry eith the instance of the 747 Max

Answer 11

Policies should have been in place for malfunction in software -all pilots advised and perhaps urget training required prior to flying

Question 12

12. Overall these complex systems need ….

Answer 12

Thorough

• Management
• Modelling
• Design
• Review
• Risk management

In order to prevent accidents and improve workplace safety saving money, property and most importantly lives.