Task allocation and the balancing of task demands in the multi-man-machine system--some case studies

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Systems Engineering
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Traditional team organization models often overlook task complexity.
• The integration of human and machine elements necessitates new organizational frameworks.
• Understanding task distribution is crucial for efficient operational systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe various team organization structures based on vertical and horizontal concepts.
• To introduce task factors of complexity and organization and their relation to multiman-machine systems.
• To demonstrate the applicability of laboratory-developed concepts to operational multiman-machine systems.

Main Methods:

• Description of team organization concepts (vertical and horizontal structures).
• Introduction of task complexity and organization factors.
• Analysis of experimental work and two operational case studies (airport air traffic control, ambulance control room).

Main Results:

• Airport air traffic control system reorganization led to a more balanced task demand distribution.
• Ambulance control room study highlighted implications of shared computer databases for team organization.
• Developed concepts are transferable from laboratory settings to operational environments.

Conclusions:

• Team organization structures significantly impact multiman-machine system performance.
• Task complexity and distribution are key factors in designing effective human-machine teams.
• Laboratory findings on team organization can be successfully applied to real-world operational systems.