Assessing the impact of new technology on complex sociotechnical systems

Abstract

In complex sociotechnical systems, cognitive and social humans use technology to make sense of situations when making decisions. These elements make sociotechnical systems difficult to develop. A modelling and assessment methodology for systems engineering is required to understand the sociotechnical system’s behaviour and underlying structure. Modelling captures the dynamic interaction, as well as the effect of humans in a complex environment. Cognitive Work Analysis and System Dynamics are two complementary approaches applied in mutual support within this context. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate a modelling methodology for complex sociotechnical systems, in order to support the systems engineering process.In komplekse sosio-tegniese stelsels, gebruik kognitiewe en sosiale mense tegnologie om situasies te verstaan en besluite te neem. Hierdie elemente maak sosio-tegniese stelsels moeilik om te ontwikkel. ’n Modellering en assessering metodologie vir stelselingenieurswese is nodig om die gedrag van die sosio-tegniese stelsel en onderliggende struktuur te verstaan. Modellering implementeer die dinamiese interaksie sowel as die effek van die mens in ’n komplekse omgewing. Kognitiewe werkanalise en Stelsel-dinamika is twee aanvullende benaderings wat binne hierdie konteks toegepas is in wedersydse ondersteuning. Hierdie artikel demonstreer ’n modellering metodologie vir komplekse sosio-tegniese stelsels om die stelselsingenieurswese proses te ondersteun.