Model-Based Predictions of Interrupted Checklists

Abstract

The improper completion of a cockpit checklist has contributed to a number of aviation accidents. In many of these cases, it can be shown that interruptions were a contributing factor in the failure to complete the checklist properly. Unfortunately, most studies of interruptions have provided only post-hoc explanations for these failures. Further, research has focused on whether or not tasks are resumed rather than on predictions of where people will resume a task after an interruption. This paper describes several generic models that were used to explore cognitive strategies for handling interruptions. One of these models was then modified to fit the specific real-world task of completing an aircraft checklist. This model produced detailed a priori predictions about where the interrupted checklist will be resumed. The implications of these predictions for task design and for the use of cognitive modeling as an approach to understanding interruptions are discussed.

Do Interruptions Affect Quality of Work?

“…As such, the quality of that argument (subgoal) would be lower. This return to the highest level is consistent with modeling that was done to examine the impact of interruptions on completion of checklists (Diez, Boehm-Davis, & Holt, 2002). This finding is also consistent with anecdotal evidence in the real world.…”

Effects of Nested Interruptions on Task Resumption: A Laboratory Study With Intensive Care Nurses

“…According to this model, interruptions result in suspended goals, and task resumption is the process of accessing the most active goal from the “goal stack” housed in working memory after the interruption ends. The memory-for-goals model predicts that when one is interrupted, newer goals may interfere with the old goals, affecting task resumption (Diez, Boehm-Davis, & Holt, 2002). In line with this model, previous research also shows that interruption length has a positive correlation with the time it takes to resume a primary task after an interruption ends, also known as the resumption lag (Altmann & Trafton, 2002; Grundgeiger et al, 2010).…”

The effect of interruption on the decision-making process

“…Although results are mixed (e.g., Oulasvirta & Saariluoma, 2006), interruptions are typically found to be disruptive and to negatively affect both performance and behavior (Altmann & Trafton, 2004;Altmann, Trafton, & Hambrick, 2013;Boehm-Davis & Remington, 2009;Gillie & Broadbent, 1989;Monk, Trafton & Boehm-Davis, 2008;. Even very short interruptions of a few seconds can cause considerable disruption (Altmann, Trafton & Hambrick, 2013) and could produce serious consequences during critical procedure such as anesthesiology (Grundgeiger, Liu, Sanderson, Jenkins & Leane, 2008), other health care , transportation (Monk, Boehm-Davis, Mason & Trafton, 2004), or aviation (Diez, Boehm-Davis, & Holt, 2002;Latorella, 1998). Thus, a solid understanding of how interruptions influence human behavior is important.…”