The Complexity of Proceduralized Tasks Paperback / softback

by Jinkyun Park

Part of the Springer Series in Reliability Engineering series

Paperback / softback

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We think we have scientific knowledge when we know the cause. (Aristotle, Posterior Analytics Book II, Part 11) About 12 years ago, when I was a graduate student, many people were concerned about my Ph.

D. topic – investigating the effect of the complexity of procedu- lized tasks on the performance of human operators working in nuclear power plants.

Although they agreed with the fact that procedures (especially emergency operating procedures) play a crucial role in securing the safety of nuclear power plants, it was amazing that most of them pointed out a very similar issue: “I cannot understand why operating personnel see any difficulty (or complexity) in condu- ing procedures, because all that they have to do is to follow a simple IF-THEN- ELSE rule as written. ” Actually, this issue is closely related to one of the main questions I was recently asked, such as “Don’t you think your work is too acad- ic to apply to actual procedures?” or “I guess we don’t need to consider the c- plexity of procedures, because we can develop a good procedure using many pr- tical procedure writers’ guidelines.

Then what is the real contribution of your work?” I absolutely agree with the latter comment.

Yes, we can develop a good pro- dure with the support of many practical and excellent guidelines.