The results of this effort may be applied to several areas including the development and evaluation of training, the design of new technologies, and the evaluation of operator performance. Further data collection is needed to expand on information and create more detailed expert profiles.
In the pilot project for formation of the COP, Applied Research Associates investigated the nature of operator expertise, looking at three different operating positions (crude unit, FCC, and Pipeline). The positions were examined to determine which exhibited any of the thirteen characteristics of expertise. While some characteristics were common across all, significant variation was found across all three process types. Several recommendations were made on how to make experts faster, with the use of decision-making exercises chosen for the follow-on.
Assess the feasibility of being able to identify experts in process plants with the ultimate goal of helping personnel to become experts faster. As this was the first project for the Center, a secondary objective was to enable member companies to assess the value in conducting studies of this type.
- Can expertise be identified in process plant operators?
- What constitutes an expert operator?
- What characteristics did the experts exhibit that novices did not?
- Does expertise vary with process or unit?
Process plants are experiencing a rapid rate of attrition among Console Operators. As a result, process plants have or will soon have a need to transfer the departing expertise to newer operators as quickly as possible. However, transfer of expertise requires that it be identified.
While the initial members of the Center for Operator Performance agreed they had common questions/issues, they were unsure whether studies could be conducted that would provide cost-effective answers to those questions. This pilot project was undertaken before actual formation of the Center to determine/demonstrate the value of studies of this nature. The Cognitive Solutions Division of Applied Research Associates (formerly Klein Associates) is a recognized industry leader in the areas of expertise and decision making. They were chosen to conduct this project based upon their capabilities in this area.
A final report including a summary of the project.