Dr. Gary Klein and Joseph Borders of MacroCognition LLC conducted a pilot project to determine if the Shadowbox training technique, developed for first-responders, was applicable to process plants. Two scenarios were developed and administered to two, unit operators, a novice and a veteran. The results showed that the technique could identify expertise in the operators and the trainees were able to assess why their response different from a panel of experts.
The objective is to assess the feasibility of using the ShadowBox method to capture the tacit knowledge of experts. The team will develop two scenarios designed to capture tacit knowledge, and then run approximately three subject-matter experts through these scenarios to examine the kinds of tacit knowledge can be collected. The ShadowBox materials will then be administered to 3-5 people. The results will then be discussed with the project sponsors to gauge whether there is sufficient benefit to warrant continuation.
How can expert knowledge be captured and transferred more quickly to operators?
The petrochemical industry faces a continual effort to train new personnel as the senior experts retire. This is also true of many other industries. Attempts at Knowledge Management have thus far proven unsatisfactory. However, the ShadowBox method offers a way around some of the bottlenecks and offers a potential means of capturing some of the tacit knowledge of experts.
Presentation of results, determination of success of process.