Priscila Wachs

A systematic literature review of resilience engineering: Research areas and a research agenda proposal

Abstract Resilience engineering (RE) has been advocated as a new safety management paradigm, compatible with the nature of complex socio-technical systems. This study aims to identify the research areas and to propose a research agenda for RE, based on a systematic literature review that encompasses 237 studies from 2006 to 2014. Six research areas are identified: theory of RE; identification and classification of resilience; safety management tools; analysis of accidents; risk assessment; and training. The area “theory of RE” accounted for 52% of the studies, and it indicates that research has emphasized the description of how resilient performance occurs. The proposal for a research agenda is focused on: refining key constructs; positioning RE in relation to other theories; exploring other research strategies in addition to case-based studies; investigating barriers for implementing RE; and balancing the importance on describing and understanding resilience with the emphasis on the design of resilient systems, and the evaluation of these designs.

The design of scenario-based training from the resilience engineering perspective: A study with grid electricians

Although scenario-based training (SBT) can be an effective means to help workers develop resilience skills, it has not yet been analyzed from the resilience engineering (RE) perspective. This study introduces a five-stage method for designing SBT from the RE view: (a) identification of resilience skills, work constraints and actions for re-designing the socio-technical system; (b) design of template scenarios, allowing the simulation of the work constraints and the use of resilience skills; (c) design of the simulation protocol, which includes briefing, simulation and debriefing; (d) implementation of both scenarios and simulation protocol; and (e) evaluation of the scenarios and simulation protocol. It is reported how the method was applied in an electricity distribution company, in order to train grid electricians. The study was framed as an application of design science research, and five research outputs are discussed: method, constructs, model of the relationships among constructs, instantiations of the method, and theory building. Concerning the last output, the operationalization of the RE perspective on three elements of SBT is presented: identification of training objectives; scenario design; and debriefing.

Identification of non-technical skills from the resilience engineering perspective: a case study of an electricity distributor

Training in non-technical skills (NTS) does not usually question the design of the work system, and thus focuses narrowly on workers as the unit of analysis. This study discusses how the identification of NTS, a major step for developing an NTS training program, might be re-interpreted from the perspective of resilience engineering (RE). This discussion is based on a case study of identifying NTS for electricians who perform emergency maintenance activities in an electricity distribution power line. The results of the case study point out that four data analysis procedures might operationalize the RE perspective: (a) identifying factors that make the work difficult and which could be integrated into NTS training scenarios; (b) identifying recommendations for re-designing the system, in order either to reduce or eliminate the need for NTS; (c) classifying the NTS into pragmatic categories, which are meaningful for workers; and (d) regarding the identification of NTS as an opportunity to give visibility to adaptations carried out by workers.

Characterizing complexity in socio-technical systems: a case study of a SAMU Medical Regulation Center

Complexity theory has been adopted by a number of studies as a benchmark to investigate the performance of socio-technical systems, especially those that are characterized by relevant cognitive work. However, there is little guidance on how to assess, systematically, the extent to which a system is complex. The main objective of this study is to carry out a systematic analysis of a SAMU (Mobile Emergency Medical Service) Medical Regulation Center in Brazil, based on the core characteristics of complex systems presented by previous studies. The assessment was based on direct observations and nine interviews: three of them with regulator of emergencies medical doctor, three with radio operators and three with telephone attendants. The results indicated that, to a great extent, the core characteristics of complexity are magnified) due to basic shortcomings in the design of the work system. Thus, some recommendations are put forward with a view to reducing unnecessary complexity that hinders the performance of the socio-technical system.

Stochastic Economic Viability Analysis of an Occupational Health and Safety Project

This study presents a stochastic analysis for economic viability of an occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) project, evaluating the associated risks for a Brazilian electricity distribution company. The method followed four steps: (i) elaboration of discounted cash flow (FC) for the project; (ii) identification of risks associated with the project; (iii) measurement of the risks’ financial impact on the project’s expected result; and (iv) simulation of the net present value (NPV) considering the impact of the risks using Monte Carlo method. The analysis also performed risk hierarchies to identify the biggest threats and the best opportunities for the project. The risks that presented the greatest impact threaten the benefits: Inability of the affected areas to assimilate the implemented changes, Interruption of the project in the intermediate stage, and Application overhead.

The Functional Resonance Analysis Method as a Debriefing Tool in Scenario-Based-Training

The aim of this study is to discuss the use of the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) as a debriefing tool in Scenario-Based-Training (SBT). This discussion is based on data collected during a training simulation session carried out as part of a Research and Development Project involving the development of resilience skills of grid electricians. The scenario of this simulation had a client complaining that the power had went off in his residence. The participants of the debriefing identified seven functions performed by the trainees. The use of the FRAM pointed out that there was variability in the outputs of two functions: and . Concerning the function the work constraints, such as time pressure, encouraged workers to make a temporary repair, rather than replacing the cable for a new one. In the debriefing, two actions to re-design the work system were raised: to increase investments in preventive maintenance; and to improve the design of lifting equipment and tools. The instantiation presented showed that using FRAM models and concepts (e.g. output variability, couplings, and functions) can be useful for analyzing workers’ and system’s performance in the debriefing, since it presents the resonance arising from the variability of everyday performance and lead to recommendations for coping with the variability.