Model-based user support: design principles and an example

In the present paper, the relationships among models used to represent aspects of complex human-machine systems and types of operator support are examined. In line with others, it is argued that the use of a particular model typically implies assumptions about the nature of the required operator support types. The close relationship between modeling and operator support is illustrated by describing examples from the literature. It is then proposed that models used to identify operator support need to be conceptually and functionally separated from other types of models, such as those used in automated reasoning systems. This approach is then illustrated using the recently proposed Functional Information and Knowledge Acquisition (FIKA) modeling approach to identify and structure display types. Finally, it is illustrated how the FIKA model can be used to explicitly identify and manage display content in an advanced operator support environment