Addressing the envisioned world problem: a case study in human spaceflight operations

Abstract

The construction of future technological systems in work domains that do not yet exist, known as the envisioned world problem, is an increasingly important topic for designers, particularly given the rapid rate of technological advancement in the modern era. This paper first discusses the theoretical underpinnings of using cognitive work analysis (CWA) for developing a decision support system (DSS) situated within the envisioned world problem and recasts the problem as pathway-dependent processes. Using this pathwaydependent framework, each stage of the envisioning process is described to reveal how human factors experts can link existing work domains to envisioned instances. Finally, a case study example of the envisioning process that incorporates CWA modelling is demonstrated as it pertains to the advancement of the human spaceflight domain. As a result, this paper provides a unified treatment of the envisioned world problem with an endto-end example of one approach to designing future technologies for future work domains.

The future of design cognition analysis

“…The papers in the thematic collection cover varied topics, including theory development (Sosa 2018), new research approaches (Lapp et al 2019), novel applications of known methods (Miller & Feigh 2019), measures (Gero & Milovanovic 2020), and the application of cognitive theory to product design practice • What is the nature of the higher-order, reflective and task-oriented cognition that regulates basic processes (e.g., memory) during exploratory design? • How can MC and EF be applied to develop dual-process models of creative design ideation, e.g., involving intuitive generation and task-oriented evaluation processes?…”

“…Lapp et al (2019) present a new approach using agent-based simulation to study cognitive style in design teams. Miller & Feigh (2019) present a novel application of an existing method to study design cognitionthe former applying Cognitive Work Analysis in the context of the envisioned world problem, and the latter exploring the use of virtual reality to study ideation. Gero & Milovanovic (2020) provide a detailed review of the cognitive, physiological and neurophysiological measures now available to design cognition researchers, and propose a roadmap for work in this area.…”

“…We present a vision formed from a structured literature review, the work of authors in the collection, and the views of a broad cross-section of the design cognition community. Although predictions of the future are inherently uncertain (Miller & Feigh 2019), we challenge the status quo and provide a concrete foundation for future research.…”

Assessment of Decision Support Systems for Envisioned Human Extravehicular Activity Operations: From Requirements to Validation and Verification

“…It is envisioned that in future human EVA, the IV operator will be responsible for tactical decision-making support in the absence of Earth-based support. Therefore, in addition to examining new prototype designs, our experimental setting also illustrates the potential work-as-practiced demands of future EVA operations within a simulated EVA laboratory environment (Miller & Feigh, 2019).…”

“…Our goal is to demonstrate how hypothesized solutions can be vetted against requirements derived from analyzing a complex work domain as it currently exists, to inform and shape how it will exist in the future. The work presented in this paper is the culmination of a multi-year effort to not only characterize the EVA work domain (Miller, McGuire, & Feigh, 2017), but to envision its future (Miller & Feigh, 2019), derive support system requirements (Miller, McGuire, & Feigh, 2017), and design and implement a prototype sufficient for evaluation (Miller, 2017; Miller, Pittman, & Feigh, 2017).…”