A framework for simulation-based task analysis - The development of a universal task analysis simulation model

Over the last decades there has been a growing interest in modeling human performance and analyzing human activity and human operator behavior to improve system design. A variety of tools and approaches which are based on task analysis methods and tools have been proposed. As technology advances and tasks become more demanding, human work changes increasing the need to create new methodologies and tools for task analysis to face the new challenges. The main aim of this research is to develop a new framework and model for simulation of human tasks performed by individuals with varying levels of skills, considering operator workload and human errors. In order to achieve this goal and fill the current gaps, a review of existing task analysis methods and tools is conducted and a model named UTASiMo is proposed. In addition, the Unified Modeling Language is used to describe the conceptual model and illustrate the different constructs and concepts included in the model. Finally, we present a case study and a preliminary simulation model designed in AnyLogicTM.