MAP-01-011 HFI Technical Guide - Human Factors Integration ...

Annex 3 – HF Techniques, Methods and Tools• Advantages / DisadvantagesThe reader is referred to Section A3.4.1 for further information a list of HTAadvantages and disadvantages.A3.9.3Team Cognitive Task AnalysisTeam cognitive task analysis (TCTA) is a technique used to describe thecognitive skills that a team or group individuals are required to undertake in orderto perform a particular task or set of tasks. TCTA can be used to betterunderstand how a team operates in terms of the decision-making strategiesemployed.TCTA uses real life events and scenarios and is suited to the analysis of complexsystems. It may however, be resource demanding, requiring trained analysts toconduct it. Video and audio recording facilities are needed.• Advantages• The TCTA can be used to elicit specific information regarding teamdecision making in complex systems.• The output can be used to inform teams of effective decision-makingstrategies.• Decision-making barriers identified can be removed from the system ofprocess under analysis, facilitating improved team performance.• The incidents that the technique analyses have already occurred, removingthe need for costly, time consuming to construct event simulations.• Once familiar with the technique, TCTA is easy to apply.• Has been used extensively in a number of domains and has the potentialto be used anywhere.• Real life incidents are analysed using the TCTA, ensuring a morecomprehensive, realistic analysis than simulation techniques.• Disadvantages• The reliability of such a technique is questionable. Klein & Armstrong(DTC117 - Klein & Armstrong 2003) suggests that methods that analyseretrospective incidents are associated with concerns of data reliability, dueto evidence of memory degradation.• TCTA is a resource intensive technique, including observation andinterviews, both of which require significant effort.• A high level of expertise and training is required in order to use TCTA to itsmaximum effect (DTC117 - Klein & Armstrong 2003).May 2006 Page A3-77 Issue 4