Designing sociotechnical systems: a CWA-based method for dynamic function allocation

Dynamic function allocation (between human agents or between human and technical agents) is a crucial issue in complex sociotechnical systems, particularly in changing or demanding situations. This issue has not yet been explicitly addressed in the Cognitive Work Analysis framework. This paper presents a conceptual and methodological proposal for designers that supplements the existing CWA tools. The new tool is integrated into the Social Organization and Cooperation Analysis (SOCA) stage. It formalizes different kinds of associations between work functions and elementary work situations and between resources and work functions. It enables the identification of conflicts (impossible allocations) when examining a complex situation resulting from the conjunction of several elementary situations. When conflicts are resolved, it is possible to choose the best configuration among a set of possible associations between resources and work functions. This proposal is illustrated with the case study of an electric pedal-assist bike.