Dynamics in wastewater treatment: a framework for understanding formal constructs in complex technical settings

Authors:
Olav W. Bertelsen;Christina Nielsen
Affiliations:
Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University, Denmark;Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Venue:
ECSCW'99 Proceedings of the sixth conference on European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work
Year:
1999

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Abstract

Based on the study of unskilled work in a Danish wastewater treatment plant, the problem of formalisation of work is discussed and extended to technical processes. Five symmetrical levels of dynamics in complex technical work arrangements are proposed as a tool for understanding the limits of formalisation and for designing formal constructs in such settings. The analysis is based on concepts of heterogeneity, granularity of goals and motives, and process and structure.