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A framework of interruptions in distributed team environments
Jamie A Rukab1, Kathy A Johnson-Throop, Jane Malin
1School of Health Information Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA. rukab@hotmail.com
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|September 14, 2004
Summary
We created a framework to study interruptions in distributed teams using the Action Coding System (ACS). This system analyzes interruptions impacting team performance, with applications in critical environments like NASA Mission Control.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Systems Engineering
Background:
- Interruptions disrupt workflow in distributed teams.
- Understanding interruptions is crucial for team performance and safety.
- Existing methods lack a comprehensive framework for analyzing interruptions in complex environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a theoretical framework for studying interruptions in distributed team environments.
- Introduce the Action Coding System (ACS) for analyzing interruptions at the activity level.
- Demonstrate the practical application and significance of the ACS framework.
Main Methods:
- Utilized distributed cognition and activity theory to build the framework.
- Developed the Action Coding System (ACS) as a core analytical tool.
- Applied the ACS to a real-world mission-critical environment (NASA Mission Control).
Main Results:
- The Action Coding System (ACS) provides a language for describing, representing, categorizing, and analyzing interruptions.
- Demonstrated the utility and significance of ACS in a complex, dynamic, mission-critical setting.
- The framework offers potentials for designing interruption management systems.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework and ACS are effective for analyzing interruptions in distributed teams.
- The framework supports the design of systems to manage interruptions through redesign, delegation, or human assistance.
- This research contributes to improving team performance and safety in critical operational environments.