A Context Acquisition Methodology for the Design of Complex Sociotechnical Systems

Alexandre Disdier; Dimitri Masson; Marija Jankovic; Guy André Boy

doi:10.65351/hsi24.001

Abstract

Complex sociotechnical systems are likely to display emergent properties that are difficult to anticipate at design time. One of the causes for emergence is the system’s sensitivity to its own operational context. Since context heavily drives the behavior of such systems, a proper HSI endeavor should define the relevant contextual elements during the early stages of the lifecycle, even before the system has been integrated and project resources have been committed. This paper presents an early-stage context elicitation methodology along with a companion software tool in development combining the HSI literature, the context literature and scenario-based design principles. The use of our tool is illustrated through the case study of the design of a remote air traffic control center.

View the INCOSE record

Download the paper

Citation

BibTeX citation:

@inproceedings{disdier2024,
  author = {Disdier, Alexandre and Masson, Dimitri and Jankovic, Marija
    and André Boy, Guy},
  editor = {Masson, Dimitri},
  publisher = {INCOSE},
  title = {A {Context} {Acquisition} {Methodology} for the {Design} of
    {Complex} {Sociotechnical} {Systems}},
  booktitle = {Proceedings International Conference on Human Systems
    Integration},
  volume = {3},
  date = {2024-08-29},
  url = {https://hsi-wg.github.io/conferences/HSI2024/proceedings/a-context-acquisition-methodology-for-the-design-of-complex-sociotechnical-systems.html},
  doi = {10.65351/hsi24.001},
  langid = {en},
  abstract = {Complex sociotechnical systems are likely to display
    emergent properties that are difficult to anticipate at design time.
    One of the causes for emergence is the system’s sensitivity to its
    own operational context. Since context heavily drives the behavior
    of such systems, a proper HSI endeavor should define the relevant
    contextual elements during the early stages of the lifecycle, even
    before the system has been integrated and project resources have
    been committed. This paper presents an early-stage context
    elicitation methodology along with a companion software tool in
    development combining the HSI literature, the context literature and
    scenario-based design principles. The use of our tool is illustrated
    through the case study of the design of a remote air traffic control
    center.}
}

For attribution, please cite this work as:

Disdier, Alexandre, Dimitri Masson, Marija Jankovic, and Guy André Boy. 2024. “A Context Acquisition Methodology for the Design of Complex Sociotechnical Systems.” In Proceedings International Conference on Human Systems Integration, edited by Dimitri Masson. Vol. 3. INCOSE. https://doi.org/10.65351/hsi24.001.