Allocating functions to human and algorithm in scheduling

Abstract

An important part of Advanced Planning Systems are algorithms. When algorithms are applied, the task is automated as much as possible. However, the human that is supposed to use the algorithm is generally ignored during the development process. As a consequence, a prior investigation whether and how an algorithm can or will be used in practice is not integrated in the development process. In contrast, in the field of cognitive ergonomics, function allocation methods explicitly take into account human factors in the design of human/computer systems. The function allocation literature, however, is mainly focused on dynamic systems where humans must make decisions in situations with time pressure and important safety risks, e.g., nuclear plants and air traffic control. We analyze the differences between such dynamic systems and planning and scheduling, and we propose a model for function allocation in planning and scheduling taking into account cognitive and human-machine cooperation aspects.