Error Analysis in Man-Machine Systems

The study to be reported was aimed at evaluating the reliability of MMS in an automated process control system. The methodology was based on error analysis and took into consideration: a) the error occurred, b) the error detections and c) the recoveries from error. It was adopted to evaluate both a prototype and the implementation of the MMS. The two evaluations had different aims. The first, related to the “design” phase, was aimed at establishing whether the designed tasks, were compatible with the cognitive abilities and competence of the operators. The objective of the second evaluation related to the “re-design” phase, was to identify where and how to improve th MMS.