Transferring Tacit Knowledge in Process Control

Abstract

Experienced operators, who have worked in process industry for many years possess extensive tacit knowledge regarding how to operate and control the plant. The purpose of this study was to propose methods for knowledge transfer regarding process control. Four conditions are important for successful knowledge transfer: resources from the management, access to a control room environment, access to saved process data from incidents and disturbances, and motivated experienced operators with verbal skills. Methods recommended for catching tacit knowledge regarding process control are observations in the control room, operators using the think-aloud methodology during work, and expert operators creating and analyzing scenarios of disturbances. Methods for transfer tacit knowledge are scenario analysis of disturbances in focus groups, or role-play between experienced and novice operator. Also informal and spontaneous methods for knowledge transfer can be successful.

From Tacit Knowledge to Visual Expertise: Eye-Tracking Support in Maritime Education and Training

“…The second way is when tacit knowledge is externalized; first to explicit knowledge and then it is possible for the novice to assess it from oral presentation or documentation. Methods on how tacit knowledge can be transferred from experienced operators in process control have been proposed by Osvalder and Colmsjö [20]. Socialization can occur in shift teams during control room operation or by individual apprenticeship in the control room, by focusing on which visual and audible cues, patterns, and rules of thumb that are used during various operation modes, especially during disturbances.…”

“…Externalization of tacit knowledge can occur if the talk aloud methodology is used during the operation work. Osvalder and Colmsjö [20] state that in this environment eye-tracking could have been an additional useful tool understand on what cues the operators focus their view during operation control.…”