IMPROVING DYNAMIC DECISION-MAKING IN COMPLEX-SYSTEMS THROUGH ECOLOGICAL INTERFACE DESIGN - A RESEARCH OVERVIEW

Research on dynamic decision making in complex systems has paid little attention to the impact of interface design on human performance. Eco logical interface design (EID) is a theoretical framework for designin g computer interfaces for complex human-machine systems that addresses this issue. This article provides an overview of a research program o n EID conducted in the author's laboratory. A detailed example showing how the principles of EID can be applied to design an interface for a simplified but representative thermal-hydraulic process-control simul ation is presented. Also, the results from laboratory research, lesson s learned from an industrial prototype, and the details of technology transfer to industry are reviewed. Collectively, the findings from thi s research program demonstrate that dynamic decision-making performanc e in complex systems can be significantly improved through appropriate interface design. This conclusion has significant implications for sy stem dynamics research.