|
|
10.1 IntroductionIn preceding chapters we have raised the issue of what we termed skill and knowledge enhancing technologies. These have been defined as computer-based technologies that help to make human skills and knowledge more productive and effective, allowing these human attributes to evolve and to develop into new skills and knowledge in relation to new insights and new techniques. What we will do in this chapter, is to consider these technologies in more detail, applying some of the concepts that we have defined in earlier chapters, and considering the conceptual framework for the design of these technologies. In Chapter 11 we will consider, in some detail, an example which will help to illustrate the points that we are trying to make in this chapter. Rosenbrock (1977) has suggested that technology can be designed in one of two ways. A machine such as a computer can collaborate with the skill and knowledge of our people, making these skills and knowledge more effective and more productive, and allowing them to evolve in relation to new facilities and new theoretical insights. Alternatively it is possible to use the computer in a way that rejects our peoples' skills and knowledge, reducing to a minimum the contribution that our people make to decision processes. This chapter is concerned with the application of the first approach to the development of computer-based systems. We will discusses a systems design method which we call the skill oriented design paradigm, in which organisational and psychological, as well as technical and financial considerations, are addressed concurrently in the systems design process. Emphasis is placed upon designing the deep system characteristics of the technology rather than just the usual surface characteristics (that is, the human-computer interface) or the organisation. Organisation and people issues should be considered in a proactive manner and not in a reactive way. The emphasis of the design philosophy is, therefore, on developing the deep system characteristics of the technology to fit people, rather than just designing user friendly surface characteristics (that is, interfaces). General design principles will be presented, and we will use developments in lathe technology to help develop a conceptual framework for the skill oriented design paradigm. Implications for the systems design process and for the role and values of our systems designers will also be discussed. In Chapter 11 we will describe a system that has been designed using the skill oriented design paradigm. First, however, the nature of our more traditional technology oriented design strategies will be considered in some detail. An example of computer-based scheduling will be used to highlight the problems of this approach. We will try to demonstrate, using insights from other disciplines, why technology oriented strategies are often inappropriate. |
Copyright © 2000, Cheshire
Henbury, Created by Paul T. Kidd, Revised July 2000
http://www.CheshireHenbury.com
| Return to Table of Contents | Return to Publications Home Page |