A fuzzy model of knowledge awareness

Situation Awareness is a very successful concept that has built on traditional Human Factors models of information processing, mental workload, working memory and expertise. However these models do not capture the essential plasticity, variability, flexibility and vulnerability of real world human in the loop control and communication systems. A more encompassing concept is Knowledge Awareness that through memory, with the help of technology, feeds situation awareness and offers greater insights into human control and communication performance. In particular the Fuzzy Awareness concepts proposed in this paper allow the investigator to describe the human, system, contextual, operational and temporal variability effects that occur in such contexts as process control, business, military operations and management. These concepts have been subject to preliminary testing using retrospective commentary by experts and novices in control processes. However the ready availability of game and simulation technology will enable a much more perceptive analysis of the concepts of Fuzzy Awareness.